UK Passes Controversial Digital Economy Bill

UK Passes Controversial Digital Economy Bill

The UK’s parliament passed the Digital Economy bill, which allows for ISP throttling and clears the path for the implementation of a so-called “three strikes” antipiracy regime. A “three strikes” system, also known as “graduated response,” requires ISPs to send cease and desist letters to its users who violate copyright law through file sharing, and eventually disconnect the service of repeat offenders. A similar law passed in France last year has been shown to be an ineffective antipiracy measure. In France, file sharers have simply migrated to other services which better mask their activities.

UK Bill:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/09/technology/09piracy.html?ref=technology
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8569750.stm

re French Law’s ineffectiveness:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8592444.stm