digital-economy
UK MPs Blast “Extraordinary Lobbying” to Quickly Enact “3-Strikes”
Several members of the House of Lords criticize “extraordinary degree of lobbying” by copyright holders to get “three-strikes” legislation passed as quickly as possible, but the MPs warn it’ll only mean years of trying to the fix “deficiencies of the present bill.” The UK govt’s controversial plans to disconnect file-sharers from the Internet is coming under increasing fire from members of the House of Lords, due in part, it seems, to claims of a concerted effort by copyright holders to hurry the Digital Economy Bill’s passage into law. Lord Puttnam is one of the critics, angry that some would even consider hurrying to enact such sweeping legislation without proper debate, and notes that a poorly written bill will just mean they’ll wind up having to revisit the “deficiencies of the present bill” in the future. “What will end up leaving this chamber… and going to the Commons is a bill that none of us is particularly proud of,” said Lord Puttnam.
Continue reading »LibDems score copyright coup
Blocking by network address extended, after Lords hijack Mandybill The LibDems’ surprise amendment to strengthen UK courts’ powers over digital copyright infringement passed late last night, despite Labour and Tory opposition, replacing the government’s original, preferred proposal in the Digital Economy Bill.…
Continue reading »UK Bill Would Force ISPs to Block P2P Websites
Proposed amendment to the Digital Economy Bill threatens ISPs to “to prevent access to online locations specified in the order of the Court for the prevention of online copyright infringement,” but doesn’t require a verification process, resulting in a “serious chilling effect as ISP’s play (it) safe.” Conservative Lord Howard and Liberal Democrat Lord Clement Jones have proposed an amendment to the Digital Economy Bill that would cause a huge shift in the way ISPs are asked to deal with copyright infringement on their networks.
Continue reading »Mandybill: innocence restored, fines for copyright cockups
You mean I can finish this download? Mandybill Overnight amendments tabled by Lord Mandelson give significant concessions to critics of the Digital Economy Bill.…
Continue reading »UK ISP Talk Talk: Copyright Bill Will Increase Piracy
Warns that Digital Economy Bill, as written, will only “hasten the migration away from P2P” as people develop tools and applications to evade anti-piracy measures. Carphone Warehouse chief executive Charles Dunstone is calling for the Government to come to its senses over its threat to disconnect illegal file-sharers from the Internet . Dunstone was speaking at an event hosted by Carphone’s ISP TalkTalk as part of its TalkTalk’s “Don’t Disconnect Us” campaign.
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