Announced by Senate majority leader Harry Reid, the postponement of the PIPA (Protect IP Act) ballot comes after online 'blackout' protests from some of the internet's biggest names including Wikipedia.

Republican chairman of the House Judiciary committee Lamar Smith followed suit by delaying action on SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) until there is wider agreement on the legislation.

"It is clear that we need to revisit the approach on how best to address the problem of foreign thieves that steal ...