Perils of an online piracy law

[Commentary] The White House made the right call by opposing key ingredients in congressional proposals to curb Internet piracy. The stance should go a long way to snuff out a misguided effort that undercuts the wide-open qualities of the online world.

This battle is no easy call. It pits Silicon Valley against Hollywood over control, responsibility and the legal abuses of the Internet. At issue is a pair of bills in the House and Senate that go after the online theft of copyright materials such as movies and music peddled on pirate websites. California Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein are sponsors of the Senate measure, though their support could shift. A possible vote next week would force each to choose between two high-profile home-state industries. Washington should consider other, more carefully targeted ways to combat a serious problem.