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Digital Economy opponents raise £13k in hours

By Hani Megerisi

Posted on 30 Mar 2010 at 15:26

Opponents of the Digital Economy Bill have raised more that £13,000 in a matter of hours to run a series of ads designed to block the bill.

The Stop the Digital Economy Bill campaign, which is being orchestrated by digital campaigners 38 Degrees and the Open Rights Group, aims to halt the bill's rapid progress through Parliament. The wide-ranging bill - which covers everything from digital radio to cutting off broadband connections - is due to be debated for only one day in the House of Commons. The very same day (6 April) that Gordon Brown is expected to announce the General Election.

The campaigners plan to run a series of national newspaper and website adverts on that day, highlighting what they claim is a bid by the music industry to push the law through.

When you force something into law that has huge sweeping powers people get concerned

The campaign set up a donations site at around 8am this morning and has already seen a surge in support, generating more than £13,000 from more than 700 donors at the time of publication. The site also includes a system for writing to your MP in opposition to the bill.

“Over 18,000 people have written to their MPs in the past week and there seems to be a lot of anger that MPs aren’t listening to them,” said John Chatterton, a campaigner with the movement. “When you force something into law that has huge sweeping powers people get concerned.”

The Digital Economy Bill has raised concern among campaigners and the IT sector for its powers to cut off file-sharers and to block websites that are hosting copyrighted content.

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User comments

Election coming up then?

“Over 18,000 people have written to their MPs in the past week and there seems to be a lot of anger that MPs aren’t listening to them,”

So, why exactly are we voting for these people? Aren't they supposed to represent their constituents views? Nah, how naive of me.

By mviracca on 30 Mar 2010

Well..

I just bunged them a tenner! :)

By Mr_Flynn on 30 Mar 2010

Democracy? Yeah, right...

Unelected Lord Mandelson has been the driving force behind this ludicrous Bill, yet he is no stranger to accusations and has resigned from office twice in the past:

16th Oct 2000 - accused by Geoffrey Robinson of lying the Common about his "home loan" affair. Both men resign.

4th Jan 2001 - Mandelson resigns after being accused of abusing his position to influence the passport application of Srichand Hinduja, an Indian businessman under investigation by the Indian government in relation to the Bofors scandal.

If we apply the same "accusation equals guilt" logic included in the DEB to Mandelson, then he should be in prison instead of writing British legislation.

At least the European Parliament had the courage to stand up to the secrecy surrounding ACTA. If you want a teaser and taste of what a real democracy is, then watch this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EGfv6U8Gsk

Why is this by-passing normal democratic debate in the Commons and being sneaked into British legislation using the undemocratic "wash-up"? We all know what it takes to lobby in the UK - "Taxi!".

I'm all for stamping out piracy, but not at the cost of civil liberties, basic human rights, and democracy.

By FreedomFighter on 30 Mar 2010

@FreedomFighter

And you forgot of course that the Music Industry modifications to the Digital Economy bill appeared immediately after Mandelson made a trip to Corfu and had a "chance" meeting with David Geffen of Geffen records.

This bill is being launched on the day the election is announced in order to "hide" it.
The intention being other things will make the front page and nobody will notice.

By cheysuli on 30 Mar 2010

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