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File sharing becomes illegal as Government pushes through Digital Economy Bill
Manoj Solanki, Friday April 9, 2010 - 5:53 PMIt has been confirmed that the contraversial Digital Economy Bill was rushed through late last night as a large majority of MPs present voted in favour of the bill.
Labour MPs had the backing of the Conservatives but the Liberal Democrats opposed the bill. Many MPs complained that it was too important to be pushed through the “wash-up” period last night, but after just two hours of debate, it received loyal accent. It has now become law.
The proposals of how to deal with illegal file-sharing activities in the bill were met with criticism, with concerns over users being disconnected if their network was involved in some form of illegal file-sharing. The “three strikes” policy will be used as a first measure to combat these activities in the form of warning letters to customers. If this doesn’t work, the powers are there to take further action, including disconnecting a user’s internet connection.
Tom Watson, former Labour digital engagement minister, stated that 20,000 people had emailed MPs about how upset they were at the lack of scrutiny being given to it.
MP Graeme Lambert from the Pirate Party UK said last night: “It was painfully obvious to anyone watching the broadcast from Parliament this evening that any MP that only turned up for the divisions and not the debate does not care about the views of their constituents, does not care about democracy and does not care about the future of Britain’s digital economy.”
The main pressure for ways of dealing with illegal file-sharers has come from the music industry.
Clause 18 of the bill, which would block out entire sites was originally removed, but an amendment to clause 8 means that the secretary of state can order a blocking of an internet location if deemed appropriate. The Open Rights Group, an organisation that campaigns for users’ rights on the Internet and Broadband ISP TalkTalk are among those that strongly oppose the proposed measures.
TalkTalk in fact has just teamed up with musician Dan Bull to release a music video that mocks the digital economy bill.
8 Comments »
Nothing has been made illegal under the Digital Economy Act, all that’s changed is how to punish people *accused* of copying copyrighted material, and they do this by getting rid of due process.
Also, Tom Watson’s comment about feeling physically sick was about him breaking his own party’s 3-line whip rather than the bill being passed.
Comment by Jack Allnutt — April 9, 2010 #
Jack,
Fair enough, granted title could have been better. However, there is a law against illegal file-sharing, meaning it’s against the law – which means illegal, the last I heard.
Thanks for the comments anyhow.
Comment by Manoj Solanki — April 9, 2010 #
Piracy will always be here and its up to the music industry to evolve . they want too much money not the artists the men in the suits . The government need to get their fingers out and tell them ! to sort it out , this is taking the peoples freedom away we will be punnished for record companies lazyness !
Comment by dave gifford — April 9, 2010 #
What about kad network and cloud file network sharing, being a computer security specialist, I’m wondering how do they want to catch people using such modern solutions?..
Comment by doman — April 9, 2010 #
If i can buy a blank cd for 11p an burn an album on it get a case an print a cover all for less than a pound then why cant the record companies do it ? I know they gotta pay the artists an the men in suits but this is silly £14.99 for 1 album !!! I like most people work all the hours i can and still £14.99 is a lot of money to me !Simon Cowells net worth is said to be over $170 million !!! , Robbie Williams £95m !!! , Sir Elton John£225m!!! ONE WORD ” GREED “
Comment by lewis, south wales — April 9, 2010 #
SHARING is now against the law????? Then why do I have to share my money in taxes?
Comment by Bri.G — April 10, 2010 #
It’s not true that record companies need to pay the artists. This has always been the arguement again piracy but it’s not true! When you look at how much artists are actually paid by recording companies, these artists do better from hosting live gigs.
Just never EVER buy software / media / music ever again. Just boycott them.
Also carry on downloading.
Comment by [OvO]wl — April 10, 2010 #
I’m a PPC, not an MP
Comment by Graeme Lambert — April 10, 2010 #