Update: We’ve spoken with Vibram and they have told us that they do not, and never have, supported SOPA. Read the details here.
There’s a little bill going through Congress right now that possibly poses a big threat to the internet as we know it.
SOPA (the “Stop Online Piracy Act”)
This bill would allow the government to shut down any web sites they deem containing “copyright-infringing material/links/etc”. Including this one.
Read more here: americancensorship.org
By now you’ve got to be asking, “What does any of this have to do with Vibram FiveFingers?”
Simple. Of the 430+ organizations supporting SOPA (many of which make items we use daily), one of them happens to be Vibram USA, Inc.
Makers of Vibram FiveFingers. Yep, Vibram supports this bill. Not to mention just about every other major running shoe maker on the market (including Nike, Reebok, New Balance, and Adidas). You can see the full list of companies/organizations here.
I don’t know what your politics are, and I don’t really care. But, it’s definitely something to think about.
If this bothers you, I suggest you send an message to Vibram USA asking why they support this (in our opinion) very flawed bill. GoDaddy just switched their position and are now anti-SOPA after a large user uprising; perhaps we can get Vibram to do the same.
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I just send my thoughts to Vibram USA! Hopefully they shift their policy, especially given how flawed the SOPA bill is.
I understand their hope that the bill will help them fight stores selling fake Fivefingers but there is a better way to fight that battle than what is outlined in the SOPA bill.
I sent a short but hopefully effective message:
If Vibram is content on supporting the death of Internet freedom, I am content on taking my business elsewhere. Please do not support SOPA.
Hopefully they listen!
That’s a good point I forgot to mention. I do understand they’re heavily counterfeited, and I’d love to see that stop. But, there’s got to be a better way.
Vibram’s contact person is currently out of office until next week for the holidays. I’m hoping they come back to a full inbox.
sent a msg asking for a reasonable explanation & to pls not support it.
Good luck! (Cuz I really don’t like the Merrills.)
Thanks for posting this. Go Daddy was a big big issue for me as I use them to host my websites. Hope we can get Vibram to change their position as well.
FYI, NameCheap is offering discounts for domain transfers. Use SOPASUCKS (good for the first ten), and BYEBYEGD.
I didn’t even think of checking the SOPA supporter list before rushing out yesterday to purchase a pair of Komodo Sports. Had I known beforehand, I would not have purchased them, as I’ve been meaning to boycott every supporter of the bill. Oh well.
160 characters isn’t much space to speak your mind. I tried to track down an actual email address but couldn’t find one, does anyone know it?
There is another contact form at Vibram.us (not the FiveFingers site). Trying to track down some email addresses now.