Kill Bill - BT, Google, Facebook and Virgin up in armsRSTO blog - 11th March 2010Industry giants have strongly criticised an amendment to the Digital Economy Bill, which was approved last week by the House of Lords, claiming it would harm the status of the UK as a centre for digital business excellence.In an open letter to the Financial Times, they oppose government plans to tighten up internet regulation, particularly the planned move to cut off illegal file sharers without a fair trial. Bluntly they warn that the proposals could limit the right to free speech, and have a detrimental effect on the UK's reputation as a place to do business. The signatories include BT's chief executive Ian Livingstone, TalkTalk's chairman Charles Dunstone and Google's UK managing director Matt Brittin. "The amendment [could] have unintended consequences which far outweigh any benefits it could bring." the letter states. The letter also explains that a policy that encourages the blocking of web sites is "a very serious step for the UK to take", and that numerous issues require careful consideration before this is adopted as a "proportionate and necessary public policy option". "To rush through such a controversial proposal at the tail end of a parliament without any kind of consultation with consumers or industry is very poor law making." BT Chairman Ian Livingstone commented in an interview with the BBC that fining illegal file sharers would be a better way of dealing with the problem."If someone is accused, a fine can be issued a bit like a speeding offence," he said. The commonly held industry view is that the reality of attempting to curb illegal file sharing is unlikely to succeed as technology advances far more rapidly and far beyond the comprehension of most legislators. As such, they need to be fully aware of any impact from poorly conceived legislation. |
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