Tech entrepreneurs oppose online copyright bill

A group of prominent technology entrepreneurs including Twitter co-founder Evan Williams, Foursquare co-founder Dennis Crowley and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman wrote to Congress voicing their opposition to a controversial Senate bill designed to target online copyright violators.

The PROTECT IP or PIPA Act would give the Justice Department and copyright holders new tools to go after serial copyright violators, including forcing third-parties such as search engines, ad networks and payment processors to cut off services to the sites. A host of groups representing the entertainment, software and other industries are strong backers of the bill, which passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in May but was placed on hold by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR). He argued the bill is an overreach that imperils free speech and innovation on the Internet. Wyden's point of view was echoed by the entrepreneurs.