While House Petitioned to Investigate MPAA Bribery
• Ernesto
• January 22, 2012
http://torrentfreak.com/while-house-petitioned-to-investigate-mpaa-bribery-120122
The public has started a petition asking the White House to investigate
comments made by MPAA CEO Chris Dodd a few days ago on Fox News. Closing a
tumultuous week of wide protest against PIPA and SOPA – two MPAA backed
anti-piracy bills – Dodd threatened to stop the cash-flow to politicians who
dare to take a stand against pro-Hollywood legislation. Clear bribery, the
petition claims, and already thousands agree.
Responding to the mass protests against the PIPA and SOPA bills on Wednesday,
the MPAA has revealed its true nature.
First, MPAA CEO Chris Dodd described the blackouts of Wikipedia, Reddit and
others as corporate PR stunts which manipulated and exploited the sites’ users.
“Some technology business interests are resorting to stunts that punish their
users or turn them into their corporate pawns,” Dodd said.
Then, a few days later when many lawmakers had already dropped their support
for the anti-piracy bills, the MPAA’s comments turned even more grim. Talking
to Fox News, the MPAA’s boss threatened to stop contributing to politicians who
don’t back legislation designed to protect Hollywood.
“Those who count on quote ‘Hollywood’ for support need to understand that this
industry is watching very carefully who’s going to stand up for them when their
job is at stake. Don’t ask me to write a check for you when you think your job
is at risk and then don’t pay any attention to me when my job is at stake,”
Dodd said.
Although it’s no secret that the movie industry has a powerful lobby in
Washington, explicitly admitting that bribery is one of the tactics the MPAA
uses to have their way wasn’t well received by the public. A few hours ago a
White house petition was started to investigate Chris Dodd and the MPAA for
alleged bribery.
“This is an open admission of bribery and a threat designed to provoke a
specific policy goal. This is a brazen flouting of the ‘above the law’ status
people of Dodd’s position and wealth enjoy,” the petition reads.
“We demand justice. Investigate this blatant bribery and indict every person,
especially government officials and lawmakers, who is involved.”
In just a few hours the petition amassed more than 5,000 votes and this number
is increasing rapidly. As a former Senator, Chris Dodd has many friends in
Washington so it’s unclear whether the petition will accomplish anything, but
if the numbers grow big enough the White House won’t be able to ignore it
either.
The MPAA’s response to the PIPA and SOPA opposition this week is a sign that
they might be losing control in Washington. At the very least, they are
starting to lose their patience and become frustrated, which may not help their
cause at this point.
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Just because i'm near the punchbowl doesn't mean I'm also drinking from it.
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