MPs pass Digital Economy Bill

It was passed by 189 votes to 47 and has managed to keep the majority of its original clauses intact.

The controversial Bill seeks to curb online piracy, among several other major policies, all with the aim of stimulating the UK’s digital economy. It has caused ripples across the technology world, most notably because of its proposals regarding the suspension of repeat filesharers’ internet connections and also the measures (formerly contained within clause 18) that would allow politicians to block pirate websites without primary legislation.

The Digital Economy Act 2010 is an Act of Parliament which includes provisions about:

•    the online infringement of copyright, including copyright and performers’ rights and about penalties for infringement
•    the functions of Ofcom
•    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.

The bill proposes further measures allowing for the “temporary suspension” of internet connections for repeat infringers of copyright following warnings from their ISP. The bill has received criticism for some of these measures.
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 and a requirement for a digital switchover of terrestrial radio in the United Kingdom.