BLACK MARCH
Thursday, March 1st 2012 to Saturday 31st March 2012
With the continuing campaigns for Internet-censoring litigation such as SOPA and PIPA, and the closure of sites such as Megaupload under allegations of ‘piracy’ and ‘conspiracy’ the time has come to take a stand against music, film and media companies’ lobbyists.
The only way is to hit them where it truly hurts.
Their profit margins.
March 2012 is the end of the 1st quarter in economic reports worldwide.
Do not buy a single record. Do not download a single song, legally or illegally. Do not go to see a single film in cinemas, or download a copy, Do not buy a DVD in the stores. Do not buy a videogame. Do not buy a single book or magazine.
Wait the 4 weeks to buy them in April: see the film later, etc. Holding out for just 4 weeks, maximum, will leave a gaping hole in media and entertainment companies’ profits for the 1st quarter, an economic hit which will in turn be observed by governments worldwide as stocks and shares will blip from a large enough loss of incomes.
This action can give a statement of intent:
”We will not tolerate the Media Industries’ lobbying for legistation which will censor the internet.”
I like this idea a lot, but I might recommend having some discretion with one’s blackout. There are some really intelligent companies, like Valve, who are wholeheartedly against SOPA and PIPA and have already intelligently articulated their viewpoint on the whole piracy issue. I live near Lawrence, which is a place bursting with local craftspeople and very small businesses— aka the type of people who have no pull with federal government and oftentimes can’t afford to lose a month of business. Do not needlessly punish companies which do not deserve your vitriol.