UK Digital Economy Act 2010
By Matt at 1 May, 2010, 10:04 pm
This ones for mainly for our UK readers as this change will affect them first. However, all web users should be worried by this new law.
Basically, The UK’s Digital Economy Act 2010 is meant to protect copyright online and increase regulation and control of the way people use the Internet. At first glance that doesn’t seem to harmful, but it could mean that
- Websites can be blocked for alleged copyright infringement.
- Families accused of sharing copyrighted files will be disconnected without trial. They will have to pay to appeal.
- Even if you don’t live in the UK, it sets a worrying precedent for other countries to follow suit.
Despite thousands of letters of concern and a petition with over 35,000 signatures of protest, the Bill was rushed through in the final days of parliament during the “wash up process” – it was not given the full scrutiny that it deserved.
This is a piece of legislation that gives potentially unlimited power to unelected officials, and assumes guilt on the part of those accused of copyright infringement. We can expect the industry lobbies to be out in force to roll back our human right to freedom of expression in the name of copyright very, very soon.
The Pirate Bay outlines what’s happening now and what you can do about it:
Now that the Bill has been passed and the election is underway, candidates from all the main parties are keen to distance themselves from it. They admit that there are serious concerns and that the Bill did not receive the scrutiny and debate it deserves.
What can you do about this?
- Ask your candidates whether they oppose the Act. If your MP didn’t bother to vote, ask why. Given the important implications this legislation has, it’s vital that politicians make their position on the issue clear. E-mail your candidates directly using this tool: http://bit.ly/emailyourcandidates
- Inform your friends about the implications of the Act and the way it threats civil liberties and the future of Internet use.
- Join the Open Rights Group’s Action e-mail list. This will keep you informed on further developments and give practical advice on how you can protest against the Digital Economy Act: http://www.openrightsgroup.org/sign-up-against-disconnection
Related posts:
- World’s Slimmest LED TV .3″ – Samsung / CES 2010
- Google’s threat to exit China wins praise
- Embrace Life – always wear your seatbelt
- Parrot’s AR Drone is not US Air Force Drone
- Power Lacing Technology – Back to the Future 2
No comments yet.