Digital Economy Bill

The Digital Economy Bill received its second reading yesterday and is expected to be pushed through its final stages later on today.

The bill includes a three strike system for users who download illegally accessed content, the third strike meaning they will be cut off by their ISP. It has been a controversial issue in Parliament so far, with some MPs saying the bill has not been debated enough.

A spokesman for the Department of Business Innovation and Skills said, “The bill spent three months in the House of Lords, and we have made significant amendments to strengthen and clarify it.”

The bill also includes the right for copyright holders to have websites blocked from public viewing for hosting pirated content, which, according to some reports, will be ‘subject to further consultation’.

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw MP speaking in Parliament yesterday said “Hundreds of millions of pounds a year is currently haemorrhaging from our creative industries because of file-sharing.” He further commented that this was a “serious threat” to the creative industry and those who work in it.

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