SOPA and PIPA bills: old answers to 21st-century problems, critics say (+video)

By Tom Bramwell Published 19 January, 2012 A number of high-profile US politicians have withdrawn their support for the controversial SOPA and PIPA anti-piracy laws in the face of online protests. Senators Marco Rubio (Florida) and Roy Blunt (Missouri)

Senator Marco Rubio has had a change of conscience. The legislation abomination known as PIPA, birthed in part from Rubio's Floridian law-womb, just officially lost his support. Keep up the pressure, everyone.

If you're just hearing about SOPA and PIPA, the complexity of these controversial bills can seem daunting. Here's your quick guide to the proposed pieces of legislation and a one-stop shop of resources that can help you learn

Lots of sites are protesting SOPA today by going dark. Turning your website black is cute, and even attention-grabbing. But the only way SOPA dies is if the Internet industry starts lobbying just as hard as the entertainment