The Artful Jurist

Since last Friday when Congress shelved its two Internet anti-piracy bills (Stop Online Piracy Act and Protect Intellectual Property Act), I've heard nary a word about either or the issues the bills are about.  SOPA and PIPA, as the bills are generally abbreviated, proved to be the young year's biggest hot potato, sparking online protests and other opposition that seem to have scared off congressional supporters.

Congressional leaders are quick to point out that the bills aren't dead.  So they could be resuscitated at any time.  But, this being an election year, I suspect the heavy betting is laying odds on SOPA and PIPA staying on the back burner until at least the elections are over this November.

However, even if those bills don't make a comeback, I'd still expect some future legislation that will try to reign in Internet piracy.  The entertainment industry loses potential billions of dollars to unauthorized online file sharing.  And, with money like that on the line, don't be surprised if an anti-piracy bill becomes 2013's big political issue.