Following agreement by both Houses on the text of the Bill it received Royal Assent on 8 April. The Bill is now an Act of Parliament (law).
The Bill implements aspects of Government policy on digital media set out in the ‘Digital Britain’ White Paper published in June 2009.
Key areas
* requires Ofcom to report on communications infrastructure and media content
* imposes obligations on internet service providers to reduce online copyright infringement
* allows the Secretary of State to intervene in internet domain name registration
* requires Channel Four to provide public service content on a range of media
* provides more flexibility over the licensing of Channel 3 and Channel 5 services
* modifies the licensing regime to facilitate switchover to digital radio
* allows variation of the public service provision in Channel 3 and 5 licences
* provides Ofcom with additional powers in relation to electromagnetic spectrum access
* extends the range of video games that are subject to age-related classification
* includes non-print formats in the public lending right payment scheme
Follow the enlightening statements and comments of these guys:
http://www.openrightsgroup.org/ourwork/reports/brief-on-digital-economy-bill
and these guys here:
http://paidcontent.co.uk/article/419-digital-economy-bill-passed-189-47-with-piracy-measure-intact/
and finally this guy here:
http://leninology.blogspot.com/
