Go Daddy Flip-Flops, Drops SOPA Support
Go Daddy Flip-Flops, Drops SOPA Support
Posted 12/23/2011 at 12:11pm
| by Brad Chacos
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Anybody who knows anything about tech knows that the proposed Stop Online Piracy Act sucks and would break the Internet, to put it in a nutshell. That’s why so many geeks find Go Daddy’s support for the act …disappointing (to say the least). We told you yesterday that Go Daddy was facing a boycott slash mass exodus from irate techies for the company’s vocal SOPA support, and apparently, the prospect of losing tons of domain registrations makes businessmen reconsider their political positions quickly. Today, Go Daddy announced it was withdrawing its support for SOPA.
"It's very important that all Internet stakeholders work together on this,” CEO Warren Adelman said in the company’s press release. “Getting it right is worth the wait. Go Daddy will support it when and if the Internet community supports it."
Of course, while Go Daddy may have withdrawn official support, there’s no mistaking where its feelings still lie, as evidenced by the closing line of the announcement, which was penned by Christine Jones, the company’s general counsel: “"Go Daddy has always fought to preserve the intellectual property rights of third parties, and will continue to do so in the future.” We agree with the sentiment, but it isn’t exactly the most diplomatic way to sign off.
Hey, are you heartened by Go Daddy’s switch? Keep the momentum going! A couple of days ago, Gizmodo released a Congressionally-created list of every company and organization that officially backs the craptastic SOPA bill – along with the contact information for each one. Why not give some of those companies a ring or send them a letter to let them know the mistake they’re making?
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Ghost XFX
December 25, 2011 at 5:11pm
They think they'll stop online piracy with this act? All they'll end up doing is inducing even more piracy and worse of all, MORE HAXXoRZ.
In the end, after all is said and done, it will by like the "War on Drugs".
Carlidan
December 26, 2011 at 4:08am
Still were fighting a losing battle. I think the only reason we're still fighting that war is because it's the only employment both parties still want.
cliver
December 24, 2011 at 10:37pm
Consider that 'Godad' is/was one of the world's largest domain registrars.
Now, consider that the CEO is connected to the intelligence community. Any problems with that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Adelman
Ken Milling
December 24, 2011 at 7:14pm
This shows why you have to hit them in the pocket book and let them know you did it. There are 40,000 signatures so that is a lot of money to lose. And if you support someonelse because of their policies let them know they have gained by not supporting a draconian piece of legislation.
livebriand
December 24, 2011 at 6:09pm
They are just helping to screw their customers. Oh wait, isn't that what most big corporations do? Well, if I ever have a reason to get a domain I'll know who NOT to get it from.
warptek2010
December 24, 2011 at 12:20am
This, Ladies and Gents, is the problem with Special Interest in this country. This kind of division is what is fueling politics. Sometimes it's good and more often than not it's disgusting.
alabasterdragon
December 24, 2011 at 2:16am
James Madison warned over two hundred years ago that Special Interest were the primary and fatal flaw in every republic that has ever existed. This is but a small bit of the plethora of evidence proving he was right. Yet people wonder why this country is going down the tubes.
Carlidan
December 24, 2011 at 1:41am
There is no way to stop it until we take away contributions to political campaigns from special interest groups, coporation, unions etc..,. Congress tried to stop these sheengians with McCain-Feingold but was striked down by Citzen United ruling. Well I think it was.
deathstarchris
December 23, 2011 at 6:16pm
Switched them anyway.
GoDaddy your a$$ somewhere else.
Biootches!!!
maseone
December 23, 2011 at 3:53pm
my relatively small amount of domain names are in process of being transfered from godaddy.com to another registrar.
Markitzero
December 23, 2011 at 1:36pm
At home I am on a Small ISP Called WISPrenn they do not support SOPA they even posted on there twitter a link to the reddet petition. they use a Charter Communications as Backbone.
Holly Golightly
December 23, 2011 at 12:57pm
Does anybody have a list of competitors against GoDaddy who do not support SOPA??? GoDaddy is the only web domain resgistration website I know. Anyhow, I will NEVER use GoDaddy. Thanks for the heads up.
bpstone
December 23, 2011 at 12:40pm
I don't like the fact that were going to support SOPA, yet no company or even person is flawless. Their customer service representatives have been good to me. The CEO too is willing to talk with his customers unlike many other companies. They listened to the complaints then afterward looked into the situation. The biggest reason why they chose to drop it was obviously money. I've seen those who chose to do something anyway regardless whether or not their customers liked it. Acting quickly then admitting you were wrong on a mistake is always the right move.
compro01
December 23, 2011 at 1:58pm
Except that their retraction shows no evidence of actually changing their support on the actual provisions of SOPA, just the current bill.
It's not a "Sorry, we were wrong". It's a "Sorry, we got caught".
bpstone
December 23, 2011 at 2:02pm
Seems you misunderstood what I meant. I never said they did. That is what a company should do.
compro01
December 23, 2011 at 12:24pm
And I will buy anything from Go Daddy again when and if hell freezes over.
win7fanboi
December 23, 2011 at 12:20pm
Too late. When my domain comes up for renewal I am picking some other company.
Btw, thanks for the list.
Amex doesn't support it from what I tell but Visa does. Time to start using my Amex card more.
Also, on the same note : Fight SOPA
What Can You Do? (from dyn.com)
If you’re based in the U.S. and against this act, we urge that you e-sign this petition to ‘Stop The E-Parasite Act’. The initial goal was to get 25,000 signatures by the end of November and as I write this, there are more than 40,000. Clearly, this is a movement that is gaining momentum.
For our international friends, there is a petition here that has got a tremendous following.
EFF has another avenue to have yourself heard : https://eff.org/r.C8A
bloodgain
December 23, 2011 at 2:13pm
I'm going one better than that. I intend to transfer my domain away from GoDaddy. I no longer trust them with it. One of my domain names goes to the website of a musician for whom I provide technical administration and support. What if someone claimed one of the songs posted on his site infringed on their copyright (all of which I personally know he wrote)? What would they do?
Nope. Goodbye, GoDaddy. I've enjoyed those cheap domain name deals, but you screwed up big time. I see where you stand now.
Neufeldt2002
December 23, 2011 at 12:20pm
Given what they have said both past and present, IF I ever decide to have a domain I WILL NOT be using Go Daddy.
qhoa1385
December 23, 2011 at 12:17pm
This disgusts me, this shows that people are willingly to trade belief for money
Zoandar
December 23, 2011 at 2:52pm
Welcome to the current world big business model. Whatever it takes to plump the profits. Morality is never a consideration.
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