Local Representatives Sound Off on SOPA

The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA) generated a lot of buzz on the internet Wednesday, as Wikipedia, TwitPic and other widely-used websites participated in a blackout. Here's where area representatives in the federal government stand on the issue. 

Rep. Frank Wolf (R-10th district), via Facebook: "Given the widespread coverage of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) today, I want you to know that I oppose SOPA in its current form."

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-11th district), via Facebook: "I remain opposed to the Stop Online Piracy Act. We need a free and open Internet. SOPA will have unintended consequences against the high tech industry in our district, and place undue burdens on our small internet businesses. Congress must continue to work with merchants, content providers, and Internet Service Providers to strike the right balance."

Sen. Mark Warner, via Facebook: "As I’ve been saying for some time, both SOPA & PIPA go too far. Online piracy is a real and serious problem, but there has to be a better way to go after rogue sites without fundamentally changing the way the Internet works."

A call to Sen. Jim Webb's office was not immediately returned.

Supporters say that the bills will help protect against copyright violations. Critics argue that the government would obtain new and unprecedented power over the internet, among other side effects. To read more about the bill, click here. Those interested can read the full text of the bill byclicking here (Full disclosure: Patch.com is owned by AOL, which opposes the bill). ProPublica also has a list of representatives' positions on the matter. 

Do you support or oppose SOPA or PIPA?