RI's Langevin backs alternative antipiracy plan

Rhode Island U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin has signed on as a co-sponsor to an alternative to a congressional proposal intended to thwart the online piracy of copyrighted movies and TV programs.

Langevin says the alternative bill offers “middle ground for curbing online piracy while protecting American jobs and innovative technologies.”

The Online Protection and Enforcement of Digital Trade, or OPEN ACT, is an alternative to the Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA.

The alternative bill was introduced Wednesday by California U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa.

Langevin says SOPA would damage efforts to increase transparency and security online by allowing U.S. government and content producers to filter the Internet.

He also says the plan would place “difficult burdens on the infrastructure of cyberspace.”