Category: Announcements || By An Editor

Tube City Almanac was closed today, Jan. 18, 2012.

There are two laws pending in the U.S. Congress that would give federal authorities new powers to control what can be published on the Internet.

These laws are supposed to protect publishers from copyright infringement --- which is important. Tube City Community Media Inc. supports efforts to protect authors, artists, publishers and composers from having their work stolen.

However, leading experts on the U.S. Constitution and communications law argue that these laws would violate American rights to free speech and assembly, as well as our protections against unreasonable search and seizure. (Read more here: "DNS Filtering to Fight Internet Piracy Violates the First Amendment," by Lauren Mack, JURIST, University of Pittsburgh School of Law)

Under at least one interpretation of these laws, Tube City Online could be shut down if we even linked --- without knowing it --- to a page that was accused of infringing someone else's copyright.

We believe this is an important issue, and that you should be aware of it.

. . .

IF YOU THINK THIS ISSUE IS IMPORTANT, you can let your elected representatives know how you feel --- pro or con --- about the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Preventing Real Online Threats of Economic Creativity and Theft of Intellectual Property Act (PIPA) by contacting them at the addresses and numbers below.

Please note: Tube City Community Media Inc. does not and is required not to lobby on behalf of any issue or position. Therefore, we are not taking a position, but we are providing information in the public interest.

CONTACT INFORMATION

McKEESPORT/MON-YOUGH AREA
(ALLEGHENY COUNTY):

U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle
627 Lysle Boulevard
McKeesport, PA 15132
Phone: (412) 664-4049
Fax: (412) 664-4053

NORWIN/PENN-TRAFFORD AREA
(WESTMORELAND COUNTY):

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire
2110 McLean Street
Aliquippa, PA 15001
Phone: (724) 378-0928
Fax: (724) 378-6171

ALL PENNSYLVANIA:

U.S. Senator Bob Casey
Regional Enterprise Tower
425 Sixth Avenue, Suite 2490
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 803-7370
Fax: (412) 803-7379

U.S. Senator Pat Toomey
100 W. Station Square Dr., Suite 225
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Phone: (412) 803-3501
Fax: (412) 803-3504

. . .

Signed,
Jason Togyer
Executive Director
Tube City Community Media Inc.
McKeesport, PA

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