Los Angeles – Google (NASD: GOOG) executive chairman Eric Schmidt said on Wednesday that the company will oppose efforts currently under consideration in the U.S. and U.K. to restrict access to file-sharing and cyberlocker sites, the Guardian reported.
“If there is a law that requires DNSs [domain name systems, the protocol that allows users to connect to websites] to do X and it’s passed by both houses of congress and signed by the president of the United States and we disagree with it then we would still fight it,” Schmidt told reporters at the company’s Big Tent conference in London.
“If it’s a request the answer is we wouldn’t do it, if it’s a discussion we wouldn’t do it.”
In the U.S., the PROTECT IP Act, and the Digital Economy Act in the U.K. both contain provisions that would empower governments to block access to domains that offer access to infringing or counterfeit content and goods.
In a follow-up statement to Schmidt’s comments, Google told CNET that, “Free expression is an issue we care deeply about, and we continue to work closely with Congress to make sure the Protect IP Act will target sites dedicated to piracy while protecting free expression and legitimate sites.”
Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/3b7df9c (Guardian)
http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20063963-261.html
http://tinyurl.com/3o4j7ve (TorrentFreak)
