Government to gain power to disconnect persistent pirates
The Queen has today detailed a number of plans for the UK government’s Digital Economy Bill, including enabling it to cut off persistent file-sharing pirates outright. The plan is to allow the Government the power to ban pirates from the internet by 2011.
According to the speech, the bill – which will also ensure the introduction of a new ‘12’ certificate for computer games – will "ensure communications infrastructure that is fit for the digital age, supports future economic growth, delivers competitive communications and enhances public service broadcasting".
This is in line with Digital Britain minister Stephen Timms’ plans to introduce next-gen broadband to 90 per cent of the UK by 2017.
This also includes a Broadband tax that’ll tack 50p onto your monthly bill to let the state bring broadband to areas that aren’t economically viable to the major internet service providers.
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Some areas of next year’s bill – particularly the pirate banning – has already sparked controversy with organisations like The Open Rights Group, who claim that the plan “won’t stop copyright infringement and with a simple accusation could see you and your family disconnected from the internet – unable to engage in everyday activities like shopping and socialising."
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Link: Via the BBC
Full published article at: http://www.t3.com/news/government-to-gain-power-to-disconnect-persistent-pirates?=42335&cid=OTC-RSS&attr=T3-News-RSS
