Tag: Digital Economy Act
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Freetards storm Westminster
by
Andrew Orlowski
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Some words to go with some photos from the Open Rights Group demonstration at Parliament. Read more at The Register… Read More
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Panorama on the Digital Economy Bill
by
Andrew Orlowski
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BBC1’s flagship current affairs program was devoted to file sharing last night, and contained something to piss off a range of lobbyists. Usually when this happens, BBC producers often conclude “they’re doing something right”, and pour themselves a large, congratulatory drink. They shouldn’t, because while the program succeeded in trying to be “fair”, it failed…
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LibDems drop net blocking, blame activists
by
Andrew Orlowski
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LibDem peers agreed to drop their controversial net-blocking clause from the Digital Economy Bill after the government advised that the proposal would be legally unenforceable. It means the Bill now heads for the Commons with one of the key copyright infringement countermeasures up in the air, although it’s likely to be a return to Plan…
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Photographers rue Mandy’s copyright landgrab
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Andrew Orlowski
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A little-reported corner of the sprawling Digital Economy Bill reduces photographers to serf status – and concerns are rippling into the wider community. Photographers say bad wording and technical ignorance are to blame for Clause 42, calling it a “luncheon voucher” for greedy publishers. “The Bill contains no deterrent to the creation of orphans, no…
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LibDems score copyright coup
by
Andrew Orlowski
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The LibDems’ surprise amendment to strengthen UK courts’ powers over digital copyright infringement passed late last night, despite Labour and Tory opposition, replacing the government’s original, preferred proposal in the Digital Economy Bill. Out goes the ability of the Minister to extend copyright legislation by statutory instrument – something earlier Ministers have already exercised, in…
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LibDems back copyright takedowns
by
Andrew Orlowski
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Two LibDem peers have tabled an amendment allowing the Courts to grant injunctions against ISPs – blocking off sections of the internet found to host infringing material. It’s similar to the DMCA-style proposal punted by the BPI in the new year, which we exclusively revealed. Injunctions are already a legal tool against infringement, but the…