It has been a huge week when it comes to protecting intellectual property and defending the freedom of the Internet. Following a massive blackout on Wednesday to oppose pending SOPA legislation, the United States government took down MegaUpload.com–demonstrating why we don’t need SOPA in the first place.

Debate has been raging on Capitol Hill over two pending bills–SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) in the House, and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act) in the Senate. Supporters insist that copyright violations and intellectual property theft are a rampant online epidemic, and that sweeping, draconian legislation is the only viable solution.