Chris disappointed by inadequate Digital Economy Act (Chris Nicholson)

Chris disappointed by inadequate Digital Economy Act

April 12, 2010 11:43 AM

Last week, the government used the so called "wash-up" process to rush through the Digital Economy Bill with limited Parliamentary scrutiny before the General Election. Coming so close to the end of this Parliament, few MPs chose to stay and discuss the bill.

The bill passed into law after what was essentially a carve up between the Labour and Conservative parties. The debate completely ignored Liberal Democrat arguments to consult more widely before introducing a measure to introduce web-blocking for copyright infringement. The final reading of the bill received less than two hours discussion, half of which was spent discussing one clause alone.

The Liberal Democrats voted against the Bill at 3rd Reading in the House of Commons and against the Labour and Conservatives web-blocking amendment in both the Lords and the Commons.

Chris commented "I remain to be convinced about the necessity for technical measures, which could include disconnection from the internet. These heavy handed sanctions could prove extremely damaging to a wide range of businesses and organisations that offer public internet access. Authoritarian measures like this seem to come naturally to Labour and the Conservatives."

"Under pressure from the Liberal Democrats, the Government did agree to a period of at least a year in which no technical measures can be considered and then to undertake a process of rigorous analysis and consultation into the need for any such measures. Hopefully this one year period might enable some greater sense on the technical measures to be adopted. I believe that the music, film and other content industries must work more urgently to develop easy and affordable ways for people to legally access their products."