Digital Economy Bill to be rushed through Parliament - lobbyists launch final assault - Polidicks

[url]http://www.itpro.co.uk/621877/digital-economy-bill-heads-to-mps-6-april[/url] [quote=IT PRO (lol wat)]The Digital Economy Bill has been scheduled for a second reading in the House of Commons, after passing though the House of Lords with some controversial amendments. It will be examined - albeit briefly - on 6 April, the very same day that Prime Minister Gordon Brown is widely expected to set the date for the looming election. The timing means the bill is likely to move into the so-called "wash-up" phase, which means it can be approved without being formally debated and the only changes allowed are deletions. The scheduling comes as MPs and campaigners asked for more time to debate the bill, which includes provisions to cut off persistent file sharers and take down websites that host copyrighted content. A protest outside parliament earlier this week drew hundreds, while on campaign has seen thousands of emails and letters sent to MPs.[/quote] [url]https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/contribute/DigitalEconomyBillAd[/url] combined with email sent to mailing list subscribers. [quote=38 Degrees]Next Tuesday the Digital Economy Bill will be rushed through Parliament unless we take action now. Party leaders are planning to give in to music lobbyists and force the bill into law without allowing a proper debate, without allowing opposition to be heard. We have one last chance to stop the bill. Party leaders can't rubber stamp it into law without the support of their MPs. Thanks to the 18,000 emails we've sent together over the last week MPs support for the bill is starting to crumble as they realise how many people oppose fast-tracking the bill through parliament. Now we need to turn the pressure up even more to encourage more MPs to rebel and derail plans to force the bill it into law. Let's place adverts in key newspapers and on key websites so everywhere MPs go they'll see how many people oppose the bill. On the day of the key vote they'll see our opposition over their cornflakes, on their way in to work and over tea in Parliament. If we have enough money we could even make sure their staff see out opposition by placing ads on keys websites. There's plenty to oppose in the Digital Economy Bill. It gives the government the ability to disconnect millions. Schools, libraries and businesses could see their connection cut if their pupils, readers or customers infringe any copyright. But the biggest problem is that party leaders plan to rush it into law without allowing a proper democratic debate. PS: Here's what one MP said in response to the campaign so far: The subject is complex and the bill is proving to be hugely contentious; because of this it is crucial, more than ever, that Parliament fulfils its democratic duty and gives the bill proper debate and scrutiny. Although it is imperative that jobs in the creative industries are protected, and it is right that artists be paid fairly for work they produce, the bill, as it stands, seems to be heavily weighted in favour of rich and powerful copyright holding companies. Despite the front bench consensus there is significant back bench concern on all sides, and I and my colleagues will do all we can to ensure the bill is not rushed through the House without proper debate and scrutiny.[/quote] You can [url=https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/page/contribute/DigitalEconomyBillAd]donate here[/url] if you want, they've already raised £14,000 towards their goal of £20,000.

Donate, Donate, Donate. [editline]06:55PM[/editline] Donate!

I'm gonna donate [editline]05:58PM[/editline] I donated

I can't donate, I have no credit card. :smith:

I used PayPal I reckon they'll have reached £20,000 by the end of the day. [editline]06:01PM[/editline] Oh yeah they definitely will have, it's gone up by about £100 since I started writing this thread.

Let's see if we can hold off for 30ish days, it's been rather unsavory. If the Tories get in we're fucked anyway (and this time they'll finally get their sights on the BBC and Channel 4, poor ITV was Thatcher's last option) but hell I'll pitch in.

Would anyone mind telling an American who knows next to nothing about British politics what this is?

fucking [editline]06:05PM[/editline] [QUOTE=zombiefreak;21057483]Would anyone mind telling an American who knows next to nothing about British politics what this is?[/QUOTE] No more legally iffy downloading for us.

What's this bill for, anyway?

[QUOTE=Zinayzen;21057509]What's this bill for, anyway?[/QUOTE] It's like DRM, but for real life - it attempts to stop the bad people, but fucks the normal person over.

[QUOTE=zombiefreak;21057483]Would anyone mind telling an American who knows next to nothing about British politics what this is?[/QUOTE] DEB, among other stuff, whips out some Draconian anti-piracy measures meaning that you can get your internet disconnected if you are suspected of pirating. It was sponsored by Lord Mandelson so it started in the House of Lords (upper house). It has gone through the House of Lords and is now set for a second reading at the House of Commons. After that it may be rushed through using pre-election special rules. 38 Degrees and Don't Disconnect Us are mounting a final assault to stop the bill or at least subject it to proper scrutiny.

This is why you shouldn't vote Labour Also: [img]http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/imgad?id=COC2uPCsqu3KzAEQ2AUYTzIIzknGj7u1zfo[/img]

I wrote to my MP about this the other week. He said it likely wouldn't get through due to this Parliament nearing dissolution, and he also said the leader of the house had assured them it would not be rushed through. [QUOTE=Michael Clapham] Dear Mr. X Thank you for your email on the Digital Economy Bill. I enclose some information on the Bill which I hope you will find helpful. However, it is unlikely that this Bill will reach the statute book as this Parliament is nearing dissolution. The Lead of the House has assured Members that the Bill will not be rushed through. Yours sincerely Michael Clapham Labour MP for Barnsley West and Penistone [/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=dirty harry;21058022]I wrote to my MP about this the other week. He said it likely wouldn't get through due to this Parliament nearing dissolution, and he also said the leader of the house had assured them it would not be rushed through.[/QUOTE] That's nice to hear.

[QUOTE=dirty harry;21058022]I wrote to my MP about this the other week. He said it likely wouldn't get through due to this Parliament nearing dissolution, and he also said the leader of the house had assured them it would not be rushed through.[/QUOTE] I hope to Hell he's right.

down with the house of lords

Donated £30

Shiiiit i've got no money. I hope we can stop this bill in time.

donated the last of my wages for this month ( about £58 )

Hope it goes through, it sounds ridiculous. I'd donate, but money is literally tight at the moment, but all I can donate is words, if they help.

[QUOTE=hahaha221;21061633]I'd donate, but money is literally tight at the moment, but all I can donate is words, if they help.[/QUOTE] they dont

If I had any money left in my Paypal account I'd donate for you guys. Over here in Canada we had a similar scare with Bill C-61 (you brits get better names for stuff) but it never went through because an election happened.

I never got a reply from my MP, only a complaint from his secretary as I missed a line of my address :v: I've been keeping up with this since the begining, and if I had the money I would donate, unfourtionatley I don't. I hope they do get the required amount (and a bonus is always good too).

They're on £17,000 now so they're pretty safe.