SOPA

SOPA, or the Stop Online Piracy Act, was a proposed U.S. legislation aimed at combating online copyright infringement. It sought to block access to websites that host or facilitate pirated content, even if those sites are outside U.S. jurisdiction. The bill intended to empower authorities and rights holders to take action against such sites more efficiently. However, critics argued that SOPA could threaten free speech, online innovation, and due process, leading to widespread protests and ultimately its withdrawal in 2012. The debate around SOPA highlighted the challenges of balancing copyright enforcement with maintaining an open internet.