Rep. Darrell Issa has asked Internet users to comment on the details of his alternative to SOPA, an online copyright protection measure that stalled last month.
"I prefer we find a new business model that solves the problem," she said. "But to the extent that there may be legislation, I'd rather it be legislation that grows out of an open, transparent and inclusive process."
Samuels explained that the reason she and the EFF were willing to get involved is because they view the bill as "a real alternative to SOPA and PIPA" and that the process behind its creation "represents so much of what SOPA and PIPA actually threatened."
Samuels hopes this kind of crowdsourcing will happen again. "The process at KeepTheWebOpen.com represents the best thing about technology, which is increasing democratic participation, increasing knowledge and getting folks involved," she said.
Correction: Feb. 6, 2012
An earlier version of the article incorrectly quoted Julie Samuels of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. She said she hopes discussions about online piracy will be open, transparent and inclusive.
House Democratic Caucus Chairman Xavier Becerra and Rep. Joseph Crowley, vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, address a news conference immediately after the closed caucus meeting.
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