Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg formally voiced his concern with the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA) today, calling them "poorly thought out laws."
"Facebook opposes SOPA and PIPA, and we will continue to oppose any laws that will hurt the Internet," the Facebook CEO said plainly in a Wednesday blog post.
"The Internet is the most powerful tool we have for creating a more open and connected world," Zuckerberg continued. "We can't let poorly thought out laws get in the way of the internet's development."
He called for leaders who are "pro-Internet," and said Facebook has been working with lawmakers for months "on better alternatives to these current proposals." Zuckerberg closed by encouraging Facebook users to "tell your congressmen that you want them to be pro-Internet."
Zuckerberg also tweeted a link to his blog post, the first time the Facebook chief has used his Twitter account since March 2009.
Facebook set up a Web site that details "How We See the Online Piracy Debate." The company acknowledged that "rogue foreign sites that pirate American intellectual property or sell counterfeit goods pose significant problems for our economy," but PIPA and SOPA "are not the right solution to this problem, because of the collateral damage they would cause to the Internet."
Specifically, Facebook is concerned by the "overly broad definitions" within the bill, as well as provisions that would allow copyright holders to target Web sites they believe contain infringing content. "In addition, we are concerned about provisions in the bills that could chill free expression or weaken the Internet's architecture," Facebook said.
The social network urged Congress not to rush the issue; "it's too important not to take the time to get it right," the company said.
Both bills target overseas "rogue" Web sites that traffic in fake goods, from purses and prescription drugs to pirated DVDs and MP3s. But the power that SOPA and PIPA provide to the Justice Department to go after these websites is worrisome to opponents, who fear the legislation will put legitimate Web sites at risk.
As a result, Jan. 18 has been dubbed SOPA/PIPA blackout day, with many high-profile Web sites shutting down service or adding anti-SOPA/PIPA signage to their sites. The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), however, said last night that the move was simply a publicity stunt and an "abuse of power."
For more, see the Top 5 Objections to SOPA, PIPA and Who's Going Dark to Protest SOPA, PIPA? Also check out PCMag analysts' take on the bills, as well as the slideshow below, which features screen shots from Web sites that are participating in today's blackout.