Dodd says SOPA can live again

Motion Picture Association of America Chairman Chris Dodd says the seemingly defunct Stop Online Privacy Act isn't actually as defunct as once thought.

Before an apparent fatal blow was dealt it by a wave of protest from millions of Internet users, prompted and supported by Google and other Silicon Valley players, the controversial anti-piracy bill looked like a fait accompli in both the House and Senate, having support from pro-content groups like the MPAA and sponsors such as House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas).

Now Dodd says the bill needs to be reworked by people who understand the connection between content and technology, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"There are not a huge number of people who understand that content and technology absolutely need each other," Dodd said. He said he's counting on the efforts of people like eBay founder and movie producer Jeff Skoll as well as others who are "smart and highly respected in both communities" to bring the two sides together before the 2012 presidential election.

The president is among those working to bridge the content-technology gap and refocus legislative efforts to stop piracy, Dodd said. He added that President Obama has excellent relationships in both camps, and that he is "confident" that Obama is using them to pursue that goal.

When asked if negotiations on a SOPA revival were taking place, Dodd answered that he was "confident that's the case."

"But I'm not going to go into more detail because, obviously, if I do, it becomes counterproductive," he said.

---