So, you all know that SOPA bill? The one big website corporations (like Wikipedia, Mozilla, and even Google) have been fighting vigilantly against? The one that threatens to censor the internet and jeopardizes our rights? Well, the bill has finally been trashed – kind of.

Lamar Smith, the head sponsor of SOPA issued the following statement on friday:

“I have heard from the critics and I take seriously their concerns regarding proposed legislation to address the problem of online piracy. It is clear that we need to revisit the approach on how best to address the problem of foreign thieves that steal and sell American inventions and products.

“The problem of online piracy is too big to ignore. American intellectual property industries provide 19 million high-paying jobs and account for more than 60 percent of U.S. exports. The theft of America’s intellectual property costs the U.S. economy more than $100 billion annually and results in the loss of thousands of American jobs.  Congress cannot stand by and do nothing while American innovators and job creators are under attack.

“The online theft of American intellectual property is no different than the theft of products from a store.  It is illegal and the law should be enforced both in the store and online.

“The Committee will continue work with copyright owners, Internet companies, financial institutions to develop proposals that combat online piracy and protect America’s intellectual property.  We welcome input from all organizations and individuals who have an honest difference of opinion about how best to address this widespread problem.  The Committee remains committed to finding a solution to the problem of online piracy that protects American intellectual property and innovation.”

What do you think? It’s clear that they have no intent to just forget about piracy, but it appears that the bill (in it’s current form) is finally dead. A quick change of heart for Smith, who just two days before stated that he would be “moving forward” with the bill in February.

We’ll update you as soon as we hear more.