An interesting discussion on the SOPA/PIPA bills took place this week on the popular podcast This Week in Tech. 

While host and TWiT network founder Leo Laporte argued that content creators should just accept a certain level of piracy, guest Nilay Patel of TheVerge.com countered that some solution to dealing with online piracy needs to be found. Both agree that SOPA and PIPA are not the answer. 

Ultimately the participants came to the conclusion that the technology industry needs to be more aggressive in its lobbying efforts. 

Maplight.org discovered that Hollywood contributed almost 4 times the amount of money to SOPA’s sponsors as compared with Internet and software companies.  The bill’s 32 sponsors received $1,983,596 in campaign contributions from Hollywood interests with just over $524,977 coming to those members from Silicon Valley. 

Lon Seidman is the host and producer of “Lon.TV,” a consumer technology video show that is on a number of platforms including YouTube and Amazon. He creates in-depth, consumer-friendly product reviews and commentary. His YouTube channel has over 300,000 subscribers and more than 100 million views.

In addition to being a full-time content creator, Lon is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Hartford (his alma mater) where he teaches a course in entrepreneurial content creation.

Prior to becoming a full-time creator, Lon was a partner at The Safety Zone, his family’s business that manufactures gloves and safety equipment. The company has locations around the globe and employs over 200 people worldwide. The Safety Zone was acquired by the Genuine Parts Corporation in 2016.

Lon is also active in public service, serving as the Chairman of the Essex Board of Education, a member of the Region 4 Board of Education, and as the Secretary / Treasurer of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education. He was endorsed by both Democrats and Republicans for his re-election in 2021.

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