GOP presidential candidates denounce Internet piracy bills

The GOP presidential candidates denounced proposed Internet piracy laws in the House and Senate that would give the government the ability to block access to websites with copyrighted material. The Republican contenders each argued in the Jan 19 presidential debate that the proposed laws - SOPA and PIPA - were too severe in their effort to restrict the trade of copyrighted materials. Versions of the legislation proposed jail sentences and large fines for the distribution of songs, television shows, and movies online.

• "The truth of the matter is the law as written is far too intrusive, far too expansive," Mitt Romney said. "It would have a depressing impact on one of the fastest growing industries… I'm standing for freedom."
• Newt Gingrich said the bill "strikes me as exactly the wrong thing to do" and joked that he was being forced to choose between "the economic interest of Hollywood" and "virtually everybody who is technologically advanced."
• Ron Paul pointed out that he was among the first Republicans to sign up in opposition to the bill. "I am pleased that the attitude has mellowed up here, because Republicans have been on the wrong side of this," Rep Paul said.
• In the only real area of dissension, Rick Santorum said that while he agreed the proposed bill "goes too far," he did "not agree with everyone up here that there's nothing that can be done."