Go Daddy & Many Other Internet Leaders Oppose SOPA & PIPA
Date Submitted: 1-18-2012 by 
Go Daddy
Go DaddyThe Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) was with the U.S. House Judiciary Committee when an uproar erupted on the Internet. An overwhelming majority of the Internet community voiced strong opposition to SOPA legislation. Go Daddy joined to oppose SOPA.
On Jan. 16, U.S. Representative Eric Cantor (R-VA) stopped action on SOPA.
Companion legislation, known as PIPA, is still up for debate in the U.S. Senate. Go Daddy opposes current PIPA legislation, as do many other major technology companies and users.
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36 Comments on "Go Daddy & Many Other Internet Leaders Oppose SOPA & PIPA"
A while back, your site supported SOPA…what changed your minds?
I appreciate the company publicly joining the opposition, but this statement makes it seem as if GoDaddy was onboard against SOPA and PIPA the entire time, not a major public proponent until it starting cost them customers and public trust. And if GD is truly joined in opposition, why not go dark today (01/18/12) like Wikipedia, Wired, and other major technology sites? It would show sincerity, and not just two-faced marketing and damage control. Words are cheap, and the public trust is broken. I will be taking my business elsewhere. And sadly, because while I do appreciate the GD services, perhaps it will show GD what it means to take a stand for what you believe is right.
Thank you Godaddy! you are doing it right!
I was ready to move my 50+ domains somewhere else if you would have keep supporting such economy damaging legislation. I do to support copyrights but SOPA and PIPA in their current ways will hurt the Internet.
Agains, thanks, I’ll continue registering more domains with you.
Against it before you were for it, eh?
I’m very glad to hear GoDaddy has come out unequivocally against SOPA/PIPA, and have decided not to join the boycott for that reason. I think I speak for many of your customers though when I say that I will not tolerate another reversal.
You sure changed your tune…you were fully in support of these bills and I don’t SEE where you have anything that someone could pirate…yet you host many sites where you FEEL you have a right to shut them down on the governments word?
I imagine the loss of businessb was part of the decision. I still SEE a lot of Boycott GoDaddy on the net. I plan to change my account as things renew. VERY disappointed in your original stance and you have left a non-trusting relationship with the web consumers now.
currently i am really considering transferring my domain names as well a few of my clients. i feel as though godaddy has lost touch with it’s customers and has focused on everything but customer service as the they have grown bigger. i for one hate the advertising which is constantly being shown, but that is nothing compared to the annoying crap that i have to weed through just to renew a domain name. there is no excuse for not having a toll free number by now and an online chat for customer service. i am not the only one who feels this way, check out web designer and developer forums and you’ll see. as far as sopa goes, it’s just another issue that lights a fire under me.
Funny how GoDaddy originally supported SOPA… and now there’s this disclaimer…
Wow, almost like a political scene here. They’re all for it and I’m about to transfer all my domains and now I read on their site that they oppose it. LOL Seriously? Take a stand one way or another, don’t blow like the wind from side to side!
I have over 50 domains with you and I heard that you were a strong supporter of SOPA, I was basically coming to your site to confirm and to begin transfering domain names. I am putting that on hold because of this statement but I plan to do some research to find out why others claimed godaddy as a supporter. I fully beleive that we DO NEED LAWS TO PROTECT AGAINST PIRACY (I am a software developer myself), however THESE LAWS ARE NOT THE RIGHT ONES.
You were a little slow on a response about SOPA & PIPA. As a result I moved over 110 domains away from GoDaddy. I still have a few domains here but that depends on further action by GD.
I am pleased to have recently read that GoDaddy has expressed it’s
opposition to both SOPA & PIPA. I would like to encourage GoDaddy’s
decision on this issue. I currently manage 5 accounts though GoDaddy, each
with 1-2 domains and hosting accounts. I would have no hesitation from
moving my hosting needs to another service provider and encouraging my
peers to do the same if GoDaddy were to waiver their position on this issue.
I’m done here, transferred my domains out last week. Shame too, since the interface for handling domains was so good. Oh well. Good bye.
If Go Daddy was really opposed to the legislation the link to this page wouldn’t be so obscure (below the fold, where it doesn’t show when you open the site) I’ll be moving my hosting and those that I design as well.
You guys all look at this the wrong way though. GoDaddy was for it, but they listened to their customers and changed their stance to reflect that of their customers. If our senate and house representatives did the same thing SOPA and PIPA wouldn’t be an issue. I commend GoDaddy for changing their stance and applaud their effort at helping to spread the word, even if it was just a simple banner lost in the middle of their home page.
Also came here today to move my domains. GD’s current flip-flop buys them a temporary reprieve from me, but I’ll keep watching closely. Trust has been broken.
As a consultant I refer hundreds of people to Go Daddy for business and personal domain use. I am happy to see that they OPPOSE SOPA and PIPA now. Ironic after they were to lose lots of business and were supporters. I was about to advise all clients/friends to move away from Go Daddy and still may do so.
What I would really like to see is how, in what way is GO DADDY OPPOSING these new bills. Did they sign the petitions opposing SOPA and PIPA?
That GD opposes it or not, it’s something that everyone needs to do their due diligence and decide for themselves. Of course GD are in it for the cash, what business isn’t these days. It’s not something that you need to decide on emotions. Do what is right … and obviously it’s clear … we need to fight this bill or the internet will be in control by high powers and no one will have a say in it if it’s too late …
Face it godaddy. You are for it!! Its just the money and the loss of all those hundreds of thousands of domains that got transferred. You sold out on your believes. I will wait till my hosting expires so it wont be a waste of my money to make the transfers. I cant believe you actually are giving people the chance to post their negative thoughts.
Yes GoDaddy DID initially support SOPA and most likely PIPA. Unless they come out with a reason as to why they switched I am taking all of my domains somewhere else..quite a few others I know of are as well.
Even say that you did it because of the lost revenue, which is most likely the case. People will be happy for the truth.
Also yes, I came here along with everyone else to start moving my domains to a company that opposes SOPA and PIPA and have all along. Im still not sure why GD would have ever been for these and it would cut into their business and revenue. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure this out. So im still curious why they were for it in the first place.
So, you’re mysteriously opposed today? I still plan on moving my domains once they expire in a few months. I’m not giving you any more money after you were in full support of the bills.
But if you’re truly switching sides, good for you!
@aeros yes, i agree with you.. godaddy did support SOPA so i have to all my domain take to other somewhere good reason and i make post about godaddy support SOPA..
very very sad see the go daddy support SOPA..
Goodbye Godaddy
Thank you for your comments and feedback.
We have always valued our customers’ opinions and will continue to provide information on the situation as it becomes available. If you would like to review more on Go Daddy’s response regarding the SOPA legislation, Click here to find out more.
As you can confirm from the Congressional committee website, GoDaddy’s general counsel, Ms. Christine Jones testified in favor of SOPA.
To date, GoDaddy has published no facts establishing substantive opposition to the bill, or any communication to the relevant committee that it has reversed its position. GoDaddy’s “opposition” to SOPA, as far as is known, consists solely of telling people “We oppose SOPA”, but without acknowledging or taking any known remedial action in relation to the material support which GoDaddy had provided to Congress.
Has GoDaddy communicated its “opposition” to those members of Congress to whom GoDaddy had previously expressed support, and in what manner did GoDaddy do so?
Thank you in advance for your answer. Demonstrating material opposition of at least substantially similar import as your prior support will go a long way to addressing the concerns of several persons who have posted above.
Those who are knocking GoDaddy.com are missing is the MAIN POINT of the matter which is TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT interfering with Business, on one hand, vs the daily practice of somebody ripping-off somebody else\’s COPYRIGHTED work, on the other hand.
GoDaddy NEVER AGREED with the legislation as proposed, IN ITS ENTIRETY.
If the movers and shakers of the Net don\’t/can\’t/won\’t police cyberspace and deal with piracy in other ways, somebody else (government) will and that outcome will be much more restrictive. Everyone needs to seek a workable compromise (via private policing or legislation) and ride herd on the outlaws who make it difficult for everyone trying to protect copyrighted work.
I personally have over 700 domains registered with GoDaddy.com and plan to stay put right here, with the BEST REGISTRAR. At least I know GoDaddy.com is not afraid to get involved with politics that sooner or later will impact all of us. If anything, GoDaddy needs to do MORE to find a viable solution to protect copyright holders.
GoDaddy has the means and wherewithal to come up with a doable course of action (private) or propose / influence future legislation for a workable solution that IS fair, but serves to protect copyright holders.
COPYRIGHTED WORK NEEDS BETTER PROTECTION. Hopefully, the big guys, like GoDaddy can help figure out better solutions than the current proposed legislation which is NOT good, as proposed. Congress needs to LISTEN to companies like GoDaddy.
I’ve been a Go Daddy customer for many years and have several domains/websites hosted on my premium account. I came here today to begin the process of transferring my domains and cancel my all services with Go Daddy due to their initial support of SOPA/PIPA, but upon learning of Go Daddy’s reversal in supporting the SOAP/PIPA legislation I have decided to delay my decision.
Say NO to SOPA/PIPA legislation.
@KSWebmaster Well said .. you got my support
If I didn’t scroll down looking for something against SOPA, I never would have seen your banner. Are you guys ashamed to have pulled your support of the bills?
I have had domains names (over 40 of them) with GD for about 4 years. I am pleased to see that you are now opposed to SOPA and PIPA. However, If I see that you ever reverse this stance and attempt to restrict free speech and free internet, you will loose me as a customer.
Awareness of the issues are important, but how many of the big sites hanging the black crepe on Wednesday, and calling for action by all Internet users who may or MAY NOT be well informed, are posting comments (pro and con)? My bet is that GoDaddy is big enough to withstand the criticism AND keep the dialog going for a while.
Those of you leaving GoDaddy.com need to think about how foolish you look for doing so and why.
WHY NOT ATTACK and CRITICIZE THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION and too much government REGULATION instead of GoDaddy? In doing so, you might be a part of the solution instead of taking cheap shots at a big business which has served you very well as a valuable customer.
Guess you don’t know enough about the real issues, or GoDaddy’s initial position regarding the legislation. GoDaddy is a convenient target, but they will survive without your business. Good luck with your new registrars.
GoDaddy IS CONCERNED about COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL and how to protect it. I’m delighted to do business with a Registrar who cares about MY RIGHTS as the little guy, and who will continue to fight for them.
@AREAKODE – GoDaddy pulled support of Sopa about a MONTH ago, not today
Yes, GoDaddy did support sopa at one point, then they changed their minds when sopa became unreasonable.
@RRTexan – “Why doesn’t godaddy go dark like wikipedia does?”
1) Wikipedia doesn’t sell products off their website. Do you see amazon.com shutting down their website? Besides. SOPA IS ALREADY DEAD.
All these sites going dark are doing it for no reason. It’s a past issue.
never again will i be a customer…….going to your competitor next time.
Too little. Too late.
Thanks. Today many sites go dark, such as wikipedia. And now we know how important the freedom of internet is…
The controversial SOPA and PIPA anti-piracy bills in the US have been postponed.
US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid postponed a vote on the controversial Protect IP Act, scheduled for Tuesday, as a growing number of senators voice opposition to the copyright enforcement bill.