4.5M sign Google SOPA petition

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Jan. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Internet search giant Google says more than 4.5 million people signed its petition against the anti-piracy laws being considered by Congress.

The petition, accessible through a link on Google's homepage, was aimed at the Stop Online Piracy Act in the U.S. House and the similar Protect IP Act in the Senate, the Los Angeles Times reported.

"There's no need to make American social networks, blogs and search engines censor the Internet or undermine the existing laws that have enabled the Web to thrive, creating millions of U.S. jobs," the petition read. "Too much is at stake -- please vote NO on PIPA and SOPA."

Google's famous homepage doodle, often modified to call attention to notable events, people and holidays, was completely blacked out Wednesday, with a link reading "Tell Congress: Please don't censor the Web!"

The White House blog reported Thursday 103,785 people signed petitions through the We The People Web site asking the president to protect a free and open Internet.