14 DAY TRIAL // Video game developer Capcom has sought to clarify its stance over the Stop Online Piracy Act bill, which is currently under the consideration of Congress, saying that it will not offer an official position from the company about the provisions but will continue to offer a position as part of the Entertainment Software Association.
Christian Svensson, who is senior vice president of strategic planning and business development at Capcom, stated, “We are members of the ESA (along side pretty much every other major publisher in our industry). We've only ever stated that the ESA represents us in legislative matters (again, like every other publisher). We have not stated any stance on our support (or not) for SOPA. Inferring more than that is bad journalism (which seems to be rampant based upon the rereporting of a six word response to inquiry).”
Reading the statement makes it pretty clear that Capcom is interested in getting the best of both worlds: supporting the SOPA bill via the ESA while at the same time avoiding any backlash from the public because it has not official position.
Recently Epic Games has dissociated itself from the official position of the ESA and stated that it will not offer its support to the new anti-piracy bill.
Nintendo, Sony and Electronic Arts, other major players in the video game industry, have also withdrawn their direct, company level, support for SOPA recently, according to information offered by the Senate Judiciary committee.
They are still members of the ESA and offer lobbying on behalf of the bill this way.
It’s not clear what effects the Stop Online Piracy Act will have over the video game industry but publishers tend to support it because they believe it will limit the impact of piracy, which makes them loose money.
Other tech companies have opposed the bill because it might limit freedom of expression and innovation on the Internet.