The Digital Economy Bill was passed last week, with file sharing and downloading dominating the headlines. But what are the facts?
The Digital Economy Bill is a broad suite of legislation aimed at bringing Britain into the digital age. It follows proposals about digital media set out in the Digital Britain White Paper published by the government in June 2009. There are various aspects of the bill, which cover everything from local television provision and video game ratings to the powers of regulator Ofcom and how internet domain names are registered in the UK.
It has now been given Royal assent, which means that it is now law. The government says that some measures will be introduced immediately, whilst others will come in over the next two months. In practice, the next Parliament will be able to study the most contentious aspects of the bill before they are enacted and there will be an extended period of public consultation on many aspects. An Overview:
- Online infringement of copyright - tackling widespread copyright infringement via a two-stage process. First by making legal action more effective and educating consumers about copyright on-line. Second through reserve powers, if needed, to introduce technical measures, such as disconnection.
- Support the plurality of independent and high quality news in the Nations, locally and in the regions - giving Ofcom powers to appoint and fund Independently Funded News Consortia.
- Digital infrastructure and content - giving Ofcom new duties to promote investment in infrastructure and public service media content, and to carry out an assessment of the UK’s communications infrastructure every two years.
- Mobile and wireless broadband - enabling investment in next generation technologies through spectrum modernisation.
- Digital radio - The government can specify digital switchover dates.
- Channel 4 Corporation - updating its functions to encompass public service content on all media platforms - online as well as television.
- Video games - protecting children by making age ratings compulsory for all boxed games designed for those aged 12 or above.
