Wikipedia and Google protest against SOPA and PIPA

You may have noticed that during trying to research something today, that Wikipedia is out of action.

In case you didn’t realise, there is method to the madness. The world’s largest encyclopaedia is in out for the 18th of January in response to the proposed changes to copyright because of the SOPA and PIPA Bills in the US.

Google, the world’s largest search engine has also got in on the act and a ‘End Piracy, Not Liberty’ is visible on the site as a mark of protest.

The likes of Google, Wikipedia and a smorgasbord of others including Facebook believe that the legislation will damage the web and have severe consequences for the way information is available.

Wikipedia, which receives over 25m hits a day has called the legislation’ destructive’. Their blackout prevents users from getting to grips with any of its 3.8m articles and are encouraging people to protest against the legislation.

The problem has dragged a number of high profile personalities into the mix, with Rupert Murdoch having his say against Wikipedia and some even in the field questioning the information catalogue’s stance. Twitter has claimed that there is little point in closing down a multi million pound business just to protest against a national legislation.

The largest fear from Google, Yahoo, Facebook and Zynga, among other silicon valley heavy weights, is that this will damage innovation. This won’t stop iPhone casino games users from enjoying a bout of mobile roulette, or other games – possibly fill in some time dedicated for Wikipedia?