The Digital Economy Act 2010

[Toyoka]

The unfortunate (possible) future of the Internet (and a major issue for us modders!)


Copied from thepiratebay.org

What is the Digital Economy Act?

The Digital Economy Act is a newly passed piece of British legislation that is meant to protect copyright online and increase regulation and control of the way people use the Internet.


How did it happen?

• -The entertainment industry is refusing to adapt to new models, clinging to obsolete 20th Century thinking.
• -The Bill was drafted by unelected officials after lobbying from the entertainment industry.
• -It was passed in a hurry during the Parliamentary "wash up" process without full scrutiny.

Why should you be worried?

• -Websites will be blocked for alleged copyright infringement.
• -Families accused of sharing copyrighted files will be disconnected without trial. They will have to pay to appeal.
• -Even if you don't live in the UK, it sets a worrying precedent for other countries to follow suit.

Despite thousands of letters of concern and a petition with over 35,000 signatures of protest, the Bill was rushed through in the final days of parliament during the "wash up process" - it was not given the full scrutiny that it deserved.


This is a piece of legislation that gives potentially unlimited power to unelected officials, and assumes guilt on the part of those accused of copyright infringement. We can expect the industry lobbies to be out in force to roll back our human right to freedom of expression in the name of copyright very, very soon.


More Info here:
Wikipedia: Digital Economy Act 2010
Times Online: The legislative farce of the Digital Economy Act
Broadband Expert: Further scrutiny for Digital Economy Bill


What can you do about this?

• -Ask your candidates whether they oppose the Act. If your MP didn't bother to vote, ask why. Given the important implications this legislation has, it's vital that politicians make their position on the issue clear. E-mail your candidates directly using this tool: Open Rights Group | Take action
  
• -Inform your friends about the implications of the Act and the way it threats civil liberties and the future of Internet use.
  
• -Join the Open Rights Group's Action e-mail list. This will keep you informed on further developments and give practical advice on how you can protest against the Digital Economy Act: Open Rights Group | Sign up to campaign against Disconnection

What do you guys think? Will this hinder our modding? Are we in trouble? We need to do something! :confused:

[Zantas]

I'm not that sad or mad over this. I purchase all my movies and games 99% of the time and I prefer have a bookshelf with vhs(no jokes) over having 1 terabyte of digital material.

20th century live on!

[Chrommie]

TL;DR
I think we should sign that petition

[Multitask]

this wont happen in US. blocking an "Alleged" site for infringement would lead multiple 1st Ammendment cases.

[Zantas]

It won't happen in EU anyway it's against EU laws. ^^

[Glynbeard]

In Canada milk comes in bags so we're prolly safe too.

Wonder if iPower will comment on this, they usually look into net neutrality and such.

[Toyoka]

Yea thankfully most of America (or rather... all of America at this point) is safe from this but there is still a minute chance that this can affect Canada and the US. Hopefully though, it won't

[LJN]

I don't think anyone could put laws on the internet because well, the internet is the whole world really. Sure you could block stuff in your country (Like china and google) but not to the world wide web.

[stoneharry]

Copyright is getting a bit out of hand to be fair, you can get all the latest movies/games a few days after initial release for free by downloading it. As this has grown more popular, the entertainment industry has suffered a major loss. This is the only real solution to stop the growth of the illegal game/movie market. Although it does breach our privacy and this could lead to laws on p0rn etc, it is a necessary action that is needed to be taken to counteract the internet copyright status.

[simgiakho]

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