Day-Long Wikipedia Protest Could Leave Bay Area Without Online Reference Tool

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS / AP) -- Wikipedia may black out its website Wednesday to protest anti-piracy legislation under consideration in Congress.

Founder Jimmy Wales announced on Twitter Monday that the popular site will shut down its English versions for 24 hours in protest. Wikimedia, the foundation behind the site, says it is still collecting public input and expects to make its final decision later Monday evening based on its users' input.

The Stop Online Piracy Act and the Protect Intellectual Property Act pending in Congress are designed to crack down on sales of pirated U.S. products overseas. Critics say they could hurt the technology industry and infringe on free-speech rights.

Wikipedia is considering several different forms of protest but if it chooses to go black, it would be the largest website to announce such plans.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)