Q&A: the plot to kill the Digital Economy Bill
By Hani Megerisi
Posted on 1 Apr 2010 at 10:32
This Tuesday will see the Digital Economy Bill’s second reading in the House of Commons, where it is expected to be rushed through in a day.
Standing in the path of the politicians is 38 Degrees, whose ‘Stop the Digital Economy Bill’ campaign has raised almost £20,000 in two days with an online public donations drive. The money raised will fund full-page newspaper ads on 6 April, to coincide with the bill’s reading.
The group’s name is derived from nature, where “avalanches begin when they reach the tipping point of 38 Degrees”.
People are concerned about the idea that you can rush such a piece of important legislation through without any proper debate
In this Q&A with executive director David Babbs, he discusses the importance of the campaign, why the bill needs to be debated properly, and why Babbs thinks the Government is working so hard to rush the bill through.
Q. You raised £10,000 in the first three hours of your donation drive. Why do you think you’ve received such strong public support?
A. People are concerned about the idea that you can rush such a piece of important legislation through without any proper debate. When people saw we were doing this and that we had such a short timeframe to influence the decision, they acted. We now want to continue to make ourselves heard and to get the message into national newspapers.
Q. Where are you planning to place the ads?
A. We want to send a clear signal to MPs so we’re targeting publications we know are read by MPs of all parties. So, for example, The Times newspaper is one we know is read by them. We’re choosing where we place these ads with the campaign in mind.
Q. Are you planning any other protests to coincide with the bill’s reading on Tuesday?
A. We’re currently talking to our members and allies about the sixth [of April]. We’re getting these adverts out but we’re going to be making sure that there is noise in Parliament and around Parliament, and that our voices are heard.
Q. A new amendment to the bill has recently been announced that reintroduces site blocking. What are your views on this clause?
A. I think it shows the campaign is having an impact and causing a stir, and that is a great sign that the Government is feeling the pressure and feeling the need to impose these improvements, but it doesn’t really get to the bigger problem.
We’re in a situation where a piece of legislation that has many legal implications and implications for people who use the internet across the UK is being rushed through, and where a law is going to make it into the statute books without proper debate. Whatever the merit of certain clauses that slightly improve what’s already on the table, this is no way to make laws - especially important laws. You can’t just improve new laws without subjecting it to proper scrutiny. You have to have a proper debate.
From around the web
Simple message: Kill the Bill or lose the vote
Hope it sinks in...
By cheysuli on 1 Apr 2010 
since when have MPs voted for what the electorate wanted
I received a letter from my MP today in response to the 38degrees email I sent. In it she says that the bill has had sufficient discussion in the Lords and gives the impression she will be voting for it. There seems to be a "we know better" attitude - I'd expect better of my MP, especially as she is standing down in a few weeks (probably with a nice generous pension etc).
By fiendishlyclever on 1 Apr 2010
Don't fund the companies behind this
Personally I think it's a done deal and this Bill will sneak into British legislation in the undemocratic "wash-up" process.
The second line of defence in the Judiciary. Australia also passed similar outrageous legislation. iiNet (large Aussie ISP) refused to disconnect customers AFACT accused of piracy. iiNet refused to obey, this ended up in a court case, iiNet won.
Look at the statistics from the United States on how the DMCA take-down provision is being abused: removing everything from a YouTube video of a baby dancing to background Prince music, to comments and opinions being removed.
If you're worried about the effects the DEB will have on your rights and freedoms (remember that an accusation is as good as guilt according to this Bill), wait until you see ACTA - a trade agreement that has been negotiated in secret by 37 or so MEPs on behalf of the 800 or so million citizens of Europe (something that is illegal to do according to the Lisbon Treaty). EU Parliament was not very happy and demanded answers and actions, but the answers from ACTA proponents is always the same - "...signed a confidentiality agreement, can't discuss it, sorry, will let you know...".
Media Cartels are losing their power, and I personally do not believe that the damage caused by piracy is completely to blame. Artists who utilize the Internet are springing up from nowhere and onto the charts - totally by-passing the record labels.
Many politicians simply do not understand the possible implications of the DEB, many simply don't care, and a handful will do whatever the music/film cartel demand of them (it has been revealed that large parts of the DEB were copy/pasted from a BPI document). Many politicians cling to the hope that the UK will be able to sing and dance its way out of years of reckless government spending (and the bailouts), a view that is pedalled by one-hit-wonder Feargal Sharkey (UK Music Chief Exec).
A simple interpretation of the DEB: by-pass the democracy and the fair trials, remove the presumption of innocence, and let rights holders become the gatekeepers of the Internet.
Those who should be most concerned: parents who have a shared home Internet connection under their name, are not systems administrators, and have one or more children between the age of 14 and 24. Also: anyone who is innovative and creative and working on something that, while potentially a benefit to humanity (just as YouTube is in my humble opinion - remember "Charlie bit me"?) also poses a threat to the media cartel.
For all my crazy ramblings, I'm so happy about one thing - the Parliamentary "wash-up" process has been brought to the attention of the public.
By FreedomFighter on 2 Apr 2010
Don't fund the companies behind this
Personally I think it's a done deal and this Bill will sneak into British legislation in the undemocratic "wash-up" process.
The second line of defence in the Judiciary. Australia also passed similar outrageous legislation. iiNet (large Aussie ISP) refused to disconnect customers AFACT accused of piracy. iiNet refused to obey, this ended up in a court case, iiNet won.
Look at the statistics from the United States on how the DMCA take-down provision is being abused: removing everything from a YouTube video of a baby dancing to background Prince music, to comments and opinions being removed.
If you're worried about the effects the DEB will have on your rights and freedoms (remember that an accusation is as good as guilt according to this Bill), wait until you see ACTA - a trade agreement that has been negotiated in secret by 37 or so MEPs on behalf of the 800 or so million citizens of Europe (something that is illegal to do according to the Lisbon Treaty). EU Parliament was not very happy and demanded answers and actions, but the answers from ACTA proponents is always the same - "...signed a confidentiality agreement, can't discuss it, sorry, will let you know...".
Media Cartels are losing their power, and I personally do not believe that the damage caused by piracy is completely to blame. Artists who utilize the Internet are springing up from nowhere and onto the charts - totally by-passing the record labels.
Many politicians simply do not understand the possible implications of the DEB, many simply don't care, and a handful will do whatever the music/film cartel demand of them (it has been revealed that large parts of the DEB were copy/pasted from a BPI document). Many politicians cling to the hope that the UK will be able to sing and dance its way out of years of reckless government spending (and the bailouts), a view that is pedalled by one-hit-wonder Feargal Sharkey (UK Music Chief Exec).
A simple interpretation of the DEB: by-pass the democracy and the fair trials, remove the presumption of innocence, and let rights holders become the gatekeepers of the Internet.
Those who should be most concerned: parents who have a shared home Internet connection under their name, are not systems administrators, and have one or more children between the age of 14 and 24. Also: anyone who is innovative and creative and working on something that, while potentially a benefit to humanity (just as YouTube is in my humble opinion - remember "Charlie bit me"?) also poses a threat to the media cartel.
For all my crazy ramblings, I'm so happy about one thing - the Parliamentary "wash-up" process has been brought to the attention of the public.
By FreedomFighter on 2 Apr 2010
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