Legislation to tackle internet piracy, including bans for illegal file-sharers, has been passed by the Lords.The Digital Economy Bill is now expected to be rushed through the Commons before the general election.Peers had earlier rejected a bid by ministers to include wide-ranging powers over future online piracy law.But despite criticism, the government said it was still committed to giving courts the power to block websites which are infringing copyright.To read this BBC News report in full, see:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8569750.stmAlso see:Digital economy bill: Online piracy law unlikely to face major scrutiny
The government is planning to introduce controversial measures, backed by the Conservatives, that would force internet companies to block websites that host substantial amounts of pirated content as it scrambles to get its digital economy bill through parliament.But because of the truncated timetable for getting the bill into law before a looming general election, the government’s as-yet unwritten clause is unlikely to face any major scrutiny before coming into force. It will be the product of a deal done behind closed doors between the government and opposition in the so-called “wash-up” of legislation hurried through before the dissolution of parliament.
www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/mar/16/digital-economy-bill-piracy-scrutiny