Digital Economy Bill: Reactions

Web User brings you reactions to the Digital Economy Bill which the government is aiming to pass through Parliament in the next 12 months.

Most of the concern about the bill relates to the parts dealing with illegal file-sharing, both in terms of cutting customers off without a fair trial and putting the onus on ISPs to police their own networks.

Liberal Democrats
Don Foster MP directed his attack on the bill at Lord Mandelson.

"We do not live in an autocracy, where major rules can be introduced on the whim of an unelected politician," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary.

"Tackling the damaging effects of illegal file-sharing is vital, but a right and workable solution will only be possible with co-operation. For Lord Mandelson to attempt to create new offences without proper assessment by the Commons is utterly shameless," he continued.

Digital Economy Bill: Main points

ISPA
The Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA), a body that represents the interests of ISPs in the UK, was very unhappy about the bill.

ISPA secretary general Nicholas Lansman said: "ISPA is extremely disappointed by aspects of the proposals to address illicit file-sharing. This legislation is being fast-tracked by the government and will do little to address the underlying problem."

He argued that the costs could cripple ISPs. "For nearly 10 years ISPs and law enforcement agencies have been cooperating based on a system of cost recovery in the UK.

"I find it very surprising that the government's own legislation - the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (2000) - considers it appropriate for ISPs to be reimbursed for costs incurred when assisting in serious criminal investigations, such as terrorism or kidnap, but not for costs incurred pursuing an alleged civil infringement on behalf of a commercial interest," Lansman continued.

Opinion: Digital Economy Bill is a mess

Open Rights Group
Jim Killock of human rights organisation the Open Rights Group said: "We believe these laws will be illegal under European law.

"The new [European Parliament] Amendment 138 appears to guarantee a prior legal process and hearing before disconnection occurs - where our government is proposing an appeal mechanism, for those who choose to take it up.

"Disconnection should only ever be imposed as the result of a court hearing," Killock said.

Pirate Party
The UK's Pirate Party, a sister organisation to the Swedish party that has two representatives in the European parliament, directly addressed questions to Lord Mandelson.

"Why should the public accept an unelected and twice disgraced politician being given the power to rewrite laws, when it's abundantly clear that he doesn't understand the issues?" party leader Andy Robinson asked.

"How will disconnecting people from the internet possibly help the bill's stated goal of 'securing the UK's position as one of the world's leading digital knowledge economies'?" Robinson continued.

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