Posted: 20th Sep, 2010 By: MarkJ
The Liberal Democrat MP for Cambridge,
Julian Huppert, confirmed last week that he was working with other members of parliament to launch a thorough
investigation into the internet and intellectual property rights (online copyright). The group will also look at how the UK government can better promote the spread of faster broadband access.
In particular Julian, whom will chair a working party to scrutinise how internet surfer's interests can be balanced against the needs of Rights Holders, hopes to get some parts of the controversially rushed
Digital Economy Act 2010 (DEA) opened up for review.
Readers might recall that Huppert also tabled an
Early Day Motion (EDM) in June, which sought a
repeal of sections 9 - 18 of the Digital Economy Act 2010 (
here). This covered the main thrust of the acts focus towards tackling online infringement of copyright (illegal p2p file sharing) by broadband ISP customers, specifically technical measures such as customer disconnection, website blocking and speed restrictions. To date it has received just 37 signatures.
LibDem MP for Cambridge, Julian Huppert, said:
"The working group will be guided by the party’s fundamental values, giving particular regard to freedom of speech, encouraging diversity and creativity and supporting the right to privacy.
We will be looking at how material can be regulated on the internet while at the same time guarding freedom of expression and we will investigate which areas of the digital economy are not covered by the current copyright laws.
This will be a far reaching investigation into every aspect of information technology designed to make sure that Lib Dem policy truly reflects the digital age in which we live and addresses all the issues."
It's well known that Huppert has been opposed to a number of the DEA's measures, not least the sections that promote
website blocking and
broadband ISP customer account disconnection. The findings of his working party will form the basis of a document to be debated by the LibDems and could result in the updating of party policy on IT and the internet.
In reality Huppert could find it difficult to make much headway. The Liberal Democrats are now part of a
coalition government with the
Conservatives; leadership on both sides have effectively already agreed to retain the
Digital Economy Act (DEA) in its current form.
However this could help to add some much needed weight to existing DEA opposition. For example, the act is already a prime candidate for a second review by the
House of Lords next year, assuming a proposal to give Lords the
power of post-legislative scrutiny is passed.
In addition, BT and TalkTalk are also seeking a
Judicial Review of the act, which could result in all or part of the DEA being put through new parliamentary scrutiny. Sadly such a review does not guarantee that any major changes would be made; especially when the majority of MP's and Lords who voted in favour of it are still present.