The UK Internet Service Providers Association ( ISPA ) has officially revealed the finalists for its Internet Hero and Internet Villain gongs at the forthcoming 12th annual industry awards. The two categories are done in an almost 'Good vs Evil' style and unsurprisingly for this year we have a very difficult set of choices.

The Internet Hero category recognises the person or organisation that deserves recognition for promoting, developing or defending the interests of the Internet industry in the past year. The Internet Villain category recognises those that have upset the industry and hampered its development. The ISPA Council is responsible for selecting the shortlist and eventual winners.

Internet Hero

Bridget Fox
For organising a grass roots challenge to the Digital Economy Bill.

Data.gov.uk
For showing the value of datasets and how the public can utilise government information.

Tom Watson MP
Plus all those who showed up to join him in voting against the Digital Economy Bill.

The Zip It, Block It, Flag It (campaign)
For focusing on internet safety for parents and young children.

38 Degrees Campaign
For mobilising public opposition to the Digital Economy Bill.

Internet Villain

ACS Law
For their aggressive, heavy-handed approach to targeting alleged copyright infringement via P2P networks.

The European Commission and the Council of Ministers
For conducting ACTA negotiations in a secretive manner and for failing to engage with stakeholders on an issue that is of vital importance for Europe’s digital economy.

Lord Clement-Jones
For introducing amendment 120a to the Digital Economy Bill without sufficient research or understanding of the consequences.

Lord Mandelson
For ignoring principles of better regulation to amend an open consultation following lobbying from an interest group.

UK Parliament
For allowing the Digital Economy Bill to pass through the Commons without proper debate.

In terms of the Internet Villain award, it's hard to pick but Lord Mandelson and ACS Law are definitely foremost in our minds. As for the Hero award, Tom Watson MP and the 38 Degrees Campaign probably stand the best chance. The shortlists for various 'Best ISP' style categories have already been revealed in an earlier news item (here).

Credit to Trefor for releasing the details ahead of the ISPA's official press release. All of the winners will be unveiled on the 8th July at a black tie dinner and awards ceremony at the Grosvenor Marriott Hotel. Tickets for the event can be purchased via the ISPA Awards website: http://www.ispaawards.org.uk .