Begich Opposes Current PIPA Legislation

Statement

U.S. Sen. Mark Begich today said he does not support the current version of the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) that is scheduled to be voted on next week in the Senate.

"While we need to protect American-made products and intellectual property from being stolen by on-line thieves and pirates, we have to protect a free and open Internet.

"The theft of intellectual property and copyrighted material is a serious problem and we need to find solutions that strike an online balance between creativity, property protection and Internet freedom.

"I know there are efforts underway to re-write this legislation with a more balanced approach. I look forward to seeing what the bill looks like when it finally gets to the Senate. But the current version is unacceptable.

"As a Senator, I have fought for a free and fair Internet by standing up for privacy rights of Facebook users and am working hard to bring broadband Internet access to our nation's most remote communities, many of which are in Alaska.

"I will continue to work in Congress to protect the rights of Internet users and universal Internet access that helps create strong classrooms, better health care and grows small businesses.

"I look forward to Wiki'ing again tomorrow."

Source