S.978 could put Justin Bieber in jail for streaming music online

By: Chenda Ngak
Topics: Tech Talk ,; Wired for Women

(Credit: Free Bieber)

(CBS) - Love him or hate him, Justin Bieber is at the center of a hot music streaming controversy. A hilarious new ad campaign protesting bill S.978 claims the YouTube pop star could go to jail.

The campaign is called Free Bieber. It's a humorous compilation of Photoshopped images of Bieber in jail. One caption says: "From super-stardom to a shared cell with a stainless steel sink/toilet... Bieber thinks 'How did this happen?'"

Also known as the "Commercial Felony Streaming Act," the bill makes it a felony to stream copyrighted music online.

Bieber's rise to fame accomplished with YouTube videos. As a child, his mother posted videos of him singing R&B cover songs. He was eventually discovered by talent manager Scott "Scooter" Braun and became the pop sensation he is now.

How the bill would play out in reality is unknown, but clearly, we need to focus on priorities: Saving Justin Bieber!

America, are we really going to send the Biebs to jail? Wait. Don't answer that.

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by Hosheen November 11, 2011 1:00 PM EST: I wouldn't put him in jail. I would offer probation if he promises to never sing a not for five years. By then, everyone will have forgotten about him and moved in to someone equally untalented and obnoxious.; Reply to this comment


by rider1956 November 10, 2011 8:27 AM EST: Did his mother receive any money from the posted uTube videos?; Reply to this comment


by Imthaid2 October 26, 2011 1:34 PM EDT: Thank you for the change Obama. It's great to have a president with only the corporations interests in mind.; Reply to this comment

by wlhoppers October 26, 2011 12:20 PM EDT

We're turning convicted prisoners out onto the streets because we don't have room in our jails anymore. Drug dealers, rapists and burglars are now roaming freely and budget cuts have slashed police forces to skeleton crews and now our neighborhoods aren't as safe anymore.

Yet we're trying to make downloading copyrighted music a felony. Even if we did convict people (Bieber)on this ridiculous charge, where we put all these dastardly music lovers? Not in jail, they'd just be let out on the street again, free to pirate tunes again. Egad, the horror of it all.

No wonder America is so f-d up. We wouldn't know a priority if we saw it. Or unless someone sang about it.

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by Imthaid2 October 26, 2011 1:38 PM EDT: The idea is to prevent people who are intelligent enough to use a computer from voting. So, the tea baggers agenda will be safe.


by Overruled1 October 25, 2011 10:37 PM EDT: These are not the kinds of regulation Congress should be concerned with. There are existing regulations, and congress should be more concerned with main st issues over wall st profits.; Reply to this comment


by rwsmith29456 October 25, 2011 5:32 PM EDT: Until it's shown to have merit or that someone was damaged it's a crock of boloney (and I know what bologna is I mean baloney); Reply to this comment


by Amina65 October 25, 2011 12:38 PM EDT: Its already illegal to use copyrighted music when you don't have permission. The legislation turns it into a FELONY. I'm always amazed at how unaware most Americans are.; Reply to this comment


by johnzigzag October 25, 2011 12:36 PM EDT: you people are stupid; Reply to this comment


by johnzigzag October 25, 2011 12:34 PM EDT: first you said my user name was in use, so i made up another. then you post me as the name i first gace you. go figure; Reply to this comment

by Gasserpe October 25, 2011 11:40 AM EDT

Organizations Supporting S.978

American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
Directors Guild of America
International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States
Screen Actors Guild
Motion Picture Association of America
Recording Industry Association of America
...and 43 more.

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by johnzigzag October 25, 2011 12:31 PM EDT: ok, I give up. not being a bieber fan, i have no idea what the gist of this story is. or is there one? what did he do? who's copyright did he infringe upon? as they used to say on dragnet, just give me the facts.