03-04-2010, 03:26 AM
This popped up out of the Internet's tissue box. It is perhaps relevant for our friends in the UK. Caveat: It is a WkiPedia entry.
The Digital Economy Bill [1][2] is a bill announced in the 2009 Queen's Speech before the United Kingdom parliament.[3] The bill will receive its second reading on the 6 April 2010 and it is expected[4] that it will not be debated in the Commons, and instead will be pushed through in the "wash up".
The bill follows the Digital Britain report and contains many of its suggestions including provisions about:
Other provisions in the bill include an amendment to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to increase the criminal liability for "making or dealing with infringing articles" and "making, dealing with or using illicit recordings" to a maximum of £50,000.
Regulation of content is also a theme in the bill, which sees it adopt the PEGI standard for video game ratings. The UK government would also be able directly to intervene to control the use of the UK's domain name space, currently overseen by the independent body Nominet.
The bill also includes proposed changes to DAB radio in the United Kingdom including the reorganisation and merging of some of the local DAB ensembles[6] and an requirement for a digital switchover of terrestrial radio in the United Kingdom.[7]
Contents
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[edit] Criticism
The bill has attracted criticism from consumer rights and privacy groups[8] due partly, to its proposal of a graduated response scheme, by which Internet connections could be temporarily suspended upon evidence of their persistent use to infringe copyright.[9]
Further criticism of the bill centres on the expectation[citation needed] that it would provide measures to boost the UK's digital economy, for example by implementing a 50p-per-month levy on copper line connections, a recommendation contained in Lord Carter's Digital Britain report.
An article in New Scientist magazine claims that the bill is inspired by the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement which itself is designed to halt losses from internet piracy.[10]
Concerns have also been raised regarding the impact on small businesses offering free WiFi to their customers.[11]
Photographers, professional and amateurs alike, have critised the bill also, especially Clause 43 (formerly Clause 42) which deals with orphan works and Extended Collective Licencing. The photographers case against the bill is explained at stop43.org.uk. Authors also criticise the bill and the group, Action for Authors’ Rights, has released a detailed briefing on the Copyright Clauses of the Digital Economy Bill.
The Government has stated that the bill will not be debated in the Commons, and instead will be pushed through in the "wash up", in April 2010. The Open Rights Group has stated that over 17,000 letters have been sent to MPs criticising the bill. [12] Over 100 people protested outside Parliament on 24 March 2010, including Labour MPs Tom Watson and John Grogan, Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate Bridget Fox, and writer and activist Cory Doctorow.[13][14]
[edit] Support
"Digital Economy Bill (HL) 2009-10". Bills & Legislation. http://www.parliament.co.uk. http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2009...onomy.html.
[edit] References
The Digital Economy Bill [1][2] is a bill announced in the 2009 Queen's Speech before the United Kingdom parliament.[3] The bill will receive its second reading on the 6 April 2010 and it is expected[4] that it will not be debated in the Commons, and instead will be pushed through in the "wash up".
The bill follows the Digital Britain report and contains many of its suggestions including provisions about:
- the functions of the Office of Communications
- the online infringement of copyright, including copyright and performers’ rights and about penalties for infringement
- internet domain registries
- the functions of the Channel Four Television Corporation
- the regulation of television and radio services
- the regulation of the use of the electromagnetic spectrum
- the Video Recordings Act 1984
- public lending right in relation to electronic publications
- the bill proposes adding a clause to the Communications Act 2003 with the effect that internet service providers could be forced to disclose details of their customers who repeatedly infringe copyright, on production of sufficient evidence, to copyright groups or face a fine of £250,000 for non-compliance.
- ISPs to be required to block access to sites that allow "substantial" infringement.[5]
Other provisions in the bill include an amendment to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to increase the criminal liability for "making or dealing with infringing articles" and "making, dealing with or using illicit recordings" to a maximum of £50,000.
Regulation of content is also a theme in the bill, which sees it adopt the PEGI standard for video game ratings. The UK government would also be able directly to intervene to control the use of the UK's domain name space, currently overseen by the independent body Nominet.
The bill also includes proposed changes to DAB radio in the United Kingdom including the reorganisation and merging of some of the local DAB ensembles[6] and an requirement for a digital switchover of terrestrial radio in the United Kingdom.[7]
Contents
[[url=javascript:toggleToc()]hide[/url]]
[edit] Criticism
The bill has attracted criticism from consumer rights and privacy groups[8] due partly, to its proposal of a graduated response scheme, by which Internet connections could be temporarily suspended upon evidence of their persistent use to infringe copyright.[9]
Further criticism of the bill centres on the expectation[citation needed] that it would provide measures to boost the UK's digital economy, for example by implementing a 50p-per-month levy on copper line connections, a recommendation contained in Lord Carter's Digital Britain report.
An article in New Scientist magazine claims that the bill is inspired by the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement which itself is designed to halt losses from internet piracy.[10]
Concerns have also been raised regarding the impact on small businesses offering free WiFi to their customers.[11]
Photographers, professional and amateurs alike, have critised the bill also, especially Clause 43 (formerly Clause 42) which deals with orphan works and Extended Collective Licencing. The photographers case against the bill is explained at stop43.org.uk. Authors also criticise the bill and the group, Action for Authors’ Rights, has released a detailed briefing on the Copyright Clauses of the Digital Economy Bill.
The Government has stated that the bill will not be debated in the Commons, and instead will be pushed through in the "wash up", in April 2010. The Open Rights Group has stated that over 17,000 letters have been sent to MPs criticising the bill. [12] Over 100 people protested outside Parliament on 24 March 2010, including Labour MPs Tom Watson and John Grogan, Liberal Democrat prospective parliamentary candidate Bridget Fox, and writer and activist Cory Doctorow.[13][14]
[edit] Support
- Design and Artists Copyright Society, for the modernisation of the copyright licensing system and access to orphan works.[15]
- Community Media Association, for the radio clauses that will bring significant benefits to the community broadcasting sector as FM spectrum becomes available following digital radio switchover.[16]
- Copyright aspects of downloading and streaming
- Music download
- HADOPI law
- Digital radio in the United Kingdom
- UK government policy on illegal file sharing
"Digital Economy Bill (HL) 2009-10". Bills & Legislation. http://www.parliament.co.uk. http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2009...onomy.html.
[edit] References
- ^ Text of the bill
- ^ Official summary of the bill
- ^ "Ensure the communications infrastructure is fit for the digital age" in the Queen's Speech
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/201...ll-commons
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/mar...onomy-bill
- ^ Paine, Andre (2010-02-10). "Race Against Time For U.K. Digital Bill". Billboard. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_d...dd757955dd. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ Barnett, Emma (2009-11-20). "Digital Economy Bill: No date for radio digital switchover". The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/66...hover.html. Retrieved 2010-03-14.
- ^ Open Rights Group comments
- ^ Britain's new Internet law, article at BoingBoing.net
- ^ Marks Net piracy: The people vs the entertainment industry, Paul (2009-12-03). "Marks Net piracy: The people vs the entertainment industry". New Scientist. http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg20...ustry.html. Retrieved 2009-12-03.
- ^ http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0...470,00.htm
- ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/201...ll-commons
- ^ http://www.eweekeurope.co.uk/news/uk-dig...otest-6089. Almost 35,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Bill's disconnection provisions to be dropped.
- ^ http://www.metro.co.uk/tech/819096-web-b...ull-debate
- ^ DACS
- ^ Digital Economy Bill Benefits Community Radio
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