Internet users are urged to fight new Digital Economy Act
A number of leading figures in the Internet arena have today urged hotels, cafes, pubs, restaurants, and other public locations offering Internet access to their customers, to fight the terms of the new Digital Economy Act. This is an act which was pushed through Parliament at the very last minute after a number of concessions were made to ensure the Conservative party would support the move. So what is the main issue with the Digital Economy Act?
The main problem with the Act is the fact that powers have been passed to courts in the UK which will see those suspected of illegal downloading or copyright infringement potentially thrown off the Internet. It is the fact that defendants have to prove their innocence rather than the courts having to prove their guilt which is the main issue amongst many in the UK. There is also a very lacklustre appeals process which could take time and leave many people disconnected, with potentially large losses for some businesses.
The Digital Economy Act has been something of a nightmare for the UK government since it was first introduced with many believing it is far too one-sided in favour of media companies. However, the fact that it is now part of UK Statute Law is a concern because ultimately the new regulations are there to be adhered to. TalkTalk, the UK Internet service provider, has already confirmed it will not recognise various parts of the Act in direct conflict with the UK authorities.
Share this..
Related stories
Greek debt problems worse than expected
A report in the financial press today has suggested that Greece will require between EUR100 billion and EUR120 billion over the next three years to repair the damage done by the financial crisis. These figures were made public by German parliamentarians in what is an embarrassment for the European Union which is currently negotiating a EUR45 billion package. It is believed that the EUR45 billio...
Read MoreQueen's speech to be used for attack on the City
This afternoon's Queen's speech in Parliament will be used as a springboard to attack the City of London and the financial sector. Despite the fact that we only have a few months until the next general election it is well known that the UK government will be presenting a massive number of "voter friendly" policies which will likely never see the light of day. In what many see as one of the biggest...
Read MoreIs $180 billion enough to bail out the money markets?
News of a joint effort between the Bank of England, the ECB and the Fed saw $180 billion pumped into the worldwide money markets in an attempt to keep the wheels of commerce turning, but is it enough? Can $180 billion really end the problems of recent times?
While the figures being mentioned today are literally out of this world to the person on the street, in terms of the money mar...
HSBC flexes its muscles with $1.3 loan from parent
Who needs the governments new loan facility? Who needs to dilute shareholder interests?
HSBC Holdings has flexed its muscles in the UK by handing over a $1.3 billion cash injection to its UK subsidiary HSBC Bank. The move was made overnight with the minimum of fuss, no big headlines and a business as usual sign on the door. While the UK operations of HSBC Holdings are in no way st...
Gordon Brown plays down the Dubai effect
Gordon Brown has today insisted that the Dubai saga, which has the ruling family request a suspension of debt repayments in the short term, will not impact upon the UK economy. He also reiterated that while obviously a setback in the short term the Dubai issue will not impact upon the global economy which has in many areas of the world started to improve. However, there are those who believe that...
Read More