Digital Economy Bill Being Rushed Through Parliament Pre-Election Without Debate
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Written by Nigel Sachdev
British Internet users will be protesting outside parliament this evening over plans to rush through the controversial Digital Economy Bill. Stereoboard.com considers the bill to be a 180 degree backwards reform of UK copyright law, which could lead to restrictions in freedom of speech and censorship.
If the bill goes through it could result in innocent UK citizens being disconnected from the Internet and websites being blocked based purely upon accusations - without any court orders. The knock-on effects of the proposals would also spell the end for free Wi-Fi connections in public places.
The BPI, lobbyists for the British Recorded Music Industry, are blaming filesharing for a drop in revenues and for the ongoing decline in the recorded music industry, but according to the Entertainment Retailers Association music sales in 2009 were down just 0.6% compared to 2008. The smallest change in 5 years. Meanwhile the popularity and revenues generated from live music has been skyrocketing over the past few years.
The controversial bill is being rushed through the Houses of Commons without even a debate, by our elected MPs, on its merits and implications. This daft bill is being driven mainly by labour Business Secretary Peter Mandelson. Critics have pointed to the fact that the bill also grants Mandelson an unlimited power to enforce copyright by bringing into law any measure relating to file-sharing on the Internet, without the consent of Parliament.
The Digital Economy Bill is being forced through as part of the "wash-up" process before Parliament dissolves for the next general election. It is assumed that lobbying by the 'creative industries', including the BPI, is helping to push the bill through parliament quietly with behind-closed-doors negotiations between the parties.
The most controversial proposals in the bill would see Internet users being disconnected if they are "accused" of illegal filesharing, and websites potentially being blocked for hosting potentially copyright infringing material. There are also fears that the legislation would mean video sharing sites like YouTube, Vimeo & Metacafe could be blocked, and the death of internet cafés, libraries, pubs and venues offering customers free WiFi connections, as they would be held legally responsible for the actions of their users.
The bill's provisions have been opposed by Internet Service Providers such as BT, Virgin Media and TalkTalk, along with major Internet companies such as Google, Facebook and eBay, and many industry experts. Even the police and the security services are reported to be in opposition to the disconnection plans. It makes you wonder what back-handers are going on to allow this bill to go through without debate?
Additionally, a long-running petition on the Number 10 E-Petitions site started by TalkTalk, calling for the disconnection plans to be dropped, has now attracted over 34,000 signatures. petitions.number10.gov.uk/dontdisconnectus
Digital liberties campaign organisation the Open Rights Group is also holding a public demonstration outside Parliament this evening (March 24), if you are in or around London we'd urge you to attend and show your support for a proper debate.
Jim Killock, executive director of The Open Rights Group (Org) said: “We are appalled that the basic tool of our society – the internet – could be taken away from people because of copyright infringement.
“We are even more appalled that this could all happen without democratic scrutiny, especially after revelations that industry lobbyists have been writing chunks of the Bill, and at least one Lord failed to declare an interest in the amendment put forward.”
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