What the SOPA blackout really looks like

Wikipedia and some other large websites are “blacking out” Wednesday to protest legislation that would limit online freedom in an effort to protect copyright interests. (Learn more about that legislation in our guide to what journalists need to know about SOPA and PIPA.) Here’s how some of those protesting sites look this morning. || Related: How to access Wikipedia Wednesday (and other workarounds) | Wikipedia substitutes trend worldwide on Twitter

Google has blacked out its logo and links to an “End Piracy, Not Liberty” page that allows users to learn more and contact Congress.

The English version of Wikipedia has a new home page today, which explains why it is blacked out and links to an article about SOPA and PIPA. Wiki addicts can access the mobile version of the site.

WordPress.org has made it easy to write or call Congress in protest, with information on its home page today.

WordPress.com is also protesting with a “censored” message in place of featured blogs.

Craigslist has replaced its landing page with a message about SOPA, flagged with red, white and blue stars. The site remains accessible.

Just after 8 a.m. eastern, Mozilla blacked out its homepage. The new message includes links to statements by Mozilla’s Chairwoman and CEO, along with a call to action.

Reddit’s replacement homepage, which went live around 8:15 a.m. eastern, encourages readers to learn about the legislation.

“Boing Boing is offline today, because the US Senate is considering legislation that would certainly kill us forever.”

Once the library science school, Syracuse’s Information Studies program is now digitally forward and it has blacked out its iSchool page.

The Tao of Pooh is redirecting to this SOPA strike page, as are other sites.

Wired has blacked out headlines on its homepage, even though, it says, “SOPA and PIPA, the bills in question, are in tactical retreat as this story goes live, but it is almost certain their backers are already planning the next round, in a process that will continue in one form or another ad infinitum.”

The Huffington Post blacked out its top story, which is about the SOPA blackout (via Jim Roberts).

Game server RedstoneHost has replaced its homepage with a message but no links to take action.

Icanhascheezburger.com introduced a popup over its site Wednesday morning, which links to information about the legislation, including burger icons that show how many votes the bills currently have.

BuzzFeed adds itself to the list of blacked-out protests. Editor-in-chief Ben Smith explains why: “We’re in favor of free people and free information, against private or state-sponsored discrimination or censorship.”

The Oatmeal’s homepage has one of the most creative messages of the day; Watch the animated gif (with pirated images) on why SOPA should be stopped.

Some sites — like Twitpic — have simply blacked out their nameplate banner this morning. Flickr did not change its homepage, but it is letting users black out their photos. Facebook and Twitter are not participating.