Controversial provision to block websites dropped from online piracy bill

In a major concession to critics of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), House Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX) said Jan 13 he will drop a controversial provision that would have required Internet providers to block infringing websites.

“After consultation with industry groups across the country, I feel we should remove Domain Name System blocking from the Stop Online Piracy Act so that the committee can further examine the issues surrounding this provision," Chairman Smith said. "We will continue to look for ways to ensure that foreign websites cannot sell and distribute illegal content to U.S. consumers." The provision that would have required Internet providers to block infringing websites was one of the most controversial aspects of the bill.

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), one of the most outspoken opponents of the legislation, called Leahy's announcement "welcome news," but said he still plans to try to block the bill from coming to a vote. He said that even without the site-blocking provision, the bill would threaten "speech, innovation, and the future of the American economy."