About the chart

The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT) has presented a list of companies, organizations, and individuals expressing concern over the PROTECT IP Act and the Stop Online Piracy Act. The list includes over one thousand such entities.

The chart includes roughly one fifth of the entities and individuals on the list, with connections indicating formal relationships between them. These relationships include funding -- whether through investments, donations, or grants -- institutional relationships, and individual relationships -- such as employees, research fellows, or board members.

Additional organizations and individuals not on the CDT's list are included for context. These are indicated by a red border.

All information was taken from publicly-accessible sources online, including firm and individual home pages, Wikipedia, Crunchbase, and Guidestar.

More information

• Winning the Web (PDF) -- a playbook of copyright opponents. (1) Build coalition, (2) Create a simple message that resonates ("free speech" works well), (3) Use techniques like web site blackouts and petitions to spread the message.
• Google's Spreading Tentacles of Influence -- The search giant has ties to important organizations that help sway public opinion.
• Nonprofits are true powerbrokers -- A 2007 article that shows how groups like the CDT and the EFF are used to advance Silicon Valley interests.

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