Google's Schmidt tees off on copyright bill

Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt said the search company would fight legislation, the PROTECT IP Act, aimed at shutting down access to file-sharing websites that offer pirated content.

He argued that it would set a “disastrous precedent” for freedom of speech worldwide. "If there is a law that requires DNSs [domain name systems] 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 a London conference. "If it's a request, the answer is we wouldn't do it. If it's a discussion, we wouldn't do it," Schmidt added. Schmidt’s comments come days after Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) introduced the bill, which would allow the attorney general to seek a court order to shut down the domain name of an allegedly infringing site.

Update:

Google says Schmidt's comments were not a signal it is ready to violate content protection laws it does not agree with.