An example of optimistic cooperation between technology companies and creators, Arts+Labs is a coalition comprised of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers,  AT&T, Broadcast Music, Inc., Cisco, Microsoft, NBC Universal, Songwriters  Guild of America, Verizon and Viacom.  Arts+Labs released this statement on rogue sites legislation:

The introduction in the House of  Representatives of legislation to combat the theft of U.S.  intellectual  property represents an important step in the fight to sustain American  creativity and support individual innovators.

The newly-introduced Stop Online Piracy Act, along with the PROTECT IP  legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate earlier this year provide a way to  push back against rogue websites that seek to profit from digital  counterfeiting and piracy.

While adjustments will be necessary to reconcile the House and Senate bills and secure the votes for final passage, Arts + Labs endorses the key premise in both measures: namely, that all actors in the  Internet ecosystem must play a role in helping protect the rights of those who create content while fostering innovation.  Ultimately, these twin goals help fight the digital theft that robs the  U.S. economy and threatens creativity.

We also are pleased that the proposals recognize the critical need for substantial due process safeguards and the central role of federal law enforcement.

Arts + Labs offers a special thanks to House  Judiciary Chairman Lamar Smith (R- Texas) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich) for working across party lines on this economically critical  measure.  We also applaud the similar bipartisan efforts of IP Subcommittee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va) and Ranking Member Rep. Mel Watt (D-NC) and the eight other co-sponsors.

We look forward to working with Congress to ensure  that the needs of creative communities, as well as those who provide Internet services and sustain its commerce, are fairly represented in this legislation  to protect, preserve, and enhance the American workforce.