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Digital economy bill faces fresh opposition

Opposition against the digital economy bill is rising sharply, with the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights (JCHR) being the latest group to voice concern.

The committee, chaired by Andrew Dismore MP, has stated that the bill is not ’sufficiently specific’ in key areas. One of the main points of criticism is the proposed ‘three-strike’ rule, which would see illicit file sharers getting their broadband connections terminated.

In a report published on Friday they noted that such moves would “go against natural justice”, with guilt rather than innocence being the first presumption.

“In the particular case of disconnection”, the committee writes, “the need for a prior hearing based on an innocent presumption is unquestionably essential.”

A spokesperson from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills has defended the ‘three-strike’ rule however, stating “slowing down or suspending peoples broadband would only be invoked following several clear warnings.”

The digital economy bill contains a set of proposals in relation to the Digital Britain white paper that was published in June 2009.  These include greater power for the regulator Ofcom as well requiring internet service providers to “reduce online copyright infringement”.

Outside of parliament, intermediary providers have also been voicing their concerns as the bill currently states that organisations providing internet access to the public should be liable for the actions of their customers. This could see large-scale providers such as universities and libraries losing their connection as a result of one person’s actions.

In a letter to Lord Puttnam, representatives from institutions such as the Imperial War Museum and the University of London said: “Because public institutions often provide internet access to hundreds or thousands of individual users, the complexity of our position in relation to copyright infringements must be taken into consideration.

“If this is not done it could result in loss of internet access to large sections of the public, particularly the 15 million citizens who do not have internet access at home”

Internet giants Facebook, Google, eBay and Yahoo are also known to oppose the measures. In a letter to the digital bill’s sponsor Lord Mandelson, the web firms urged MPs to rethink the proposed disconnection measures, which they said could give the government “unprecedented and sweeping powers” to amend copyright laws

The bill is currently being scrutinized by the House of Lords.