This new bill, SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) is set to pass the U.S. Congress soon. If it does, it could mean the end of the open Internet as we know it.

This law would make it possible to censor entire websites which might contain copyrighted material (think YouTube, or if “there’s no way they’ll shut down YouTube”, the next thing to come along), and jail people for 5 years for posting links to copyrighted material.

The senators and representatives have received $20 million in campaign contributions to support this bill, and just under $5 million to oppose it. A hearing has already taken place, heavily stacked with pro-copyright organisations, with just Google to speak out against it (and they were publicly mocked by the chairman of the committee in the opening statement).

AmericanCensorship.org has a good infographic showing the damage this bill might cause. If you like the Internet, please sign the Avaaz petition to stop this bill.