Digital Economy Bill bill could 'breach rights'. An influential group of MPs and peers has said the government's approach to illegal file-sharing could breach the rights of internet users. The Joint Select Committee on Human Rights said the government's Digital Economy Bill needed clarification. It said that technical measures - which include cutting off persistent pirates - were not "sufficiently specified". In addition, it said that it was concerned that the Bill could create "over-broad powers". http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8500876.stm
"The UK Parliament's Joint Committee on Human Rights has recently reported on the controversial Digital Economy Bill, which seeks to restrict the connections of anyone accused of infringing copyright using the Internet. According to the BBC, the committee noted the lack of details in the Bill as it stands, asking for 'further information' from the government on several issues. They also raised concerns that some punishments under the bill could be 'applied in a disproportionate manner' and said that the powers the bill granted to the Secretary of State (i.e. Lord Mandelson) were 'overly broad.' These echo the concerns raised in recent months by the Open Rights Group, a consortium of web companies including Facebook, Google, Yahoo, and eBay, as well as the UK's Pirate Party. The Bill is currently being scrutinized by the House of Lords, and if it passes there, will likely be forced through the Commons quickly, despite the opposition from the public, industry and members of parliament. The committee's full report can be found on the parliament website." This text - Slashdot.org The Digital Economy Bill - a first critical look - Prepared by Francis Davey (link to homepage), 1 December 2009. This is an explanation and analysis of the "copyright infringement provisions" the Digital Economy Bill -- strictly speaking this means clauses 4 to 15 which amend the Communications Act 2003 to add new sections 124A to 124L, but I am also considering clauses 16 (definitions) and 17 (amendments to copyright law) as well. http://www.openrightsgroup.org/ourwork/reports/deb-first-look _______________________________________________ NetBehaviour mailing list [email protected] http://www.netbehaviour.org/mailman/listinfo/netbehaviour
