Repeal the Digital Economy Act immediately (SHORTLY TO CLOSE!)

IMPORTANT NOTE:

THE OPEN RIGHTS GROUP IS CURRENTLY SETTING UP THEIR OWN PETITION, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BETTER TRACTION AND OVERALL EFFECT THAN THIS ONE. AS OF 11TH APRIL O.R.G. TELL ME THIS WILL BE READY WITHIN THE WEEK. WHEN READY I WILL CLOSE THIS PETITION AND CONTACT ALL SIGNATORIES HERE TO ASK THEM TO MOVE THEIR SUPPORT TO THAT PETITION. THE END GOAL IS THE REPEAL OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY ACT - BY WORKING TOGETHER WE STAND A BETTER CHANCE OF ACHIEVING THAT.

THANKS FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING

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The Digital Economy Bill was recently voted through by parliament. Amongst other things it requires Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to temporarily slow down or suspend their users upon allegations of persistent illegal filesharing. It also requires ISPs to block users from accessing websites the government feels may have been, are, or might be used in the future for illegal filesharing.

The bill was rushed through in the "wash up" - the final hours of the current parliament. This has received criticism from all parties in the house as it resulted in insufficient scrutiny of the bill before it was passed.

There are many other concerns regarding the bill. To read more, see the following:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Economy_Bill
http://www.stop43.org.uk/
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2009-10/digitaleconomy.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/apr/08/digital-economy-bill-passes-third-reading
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/dontdisconnectus/
http://www.dontdisconnect.us/
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Against-the-Digital-Economy-Bill/204797858335?ref=nf
#debill #deact

Regardless of political viewpoints on the content of the Act, everyone agrees the bill was inadequately debated in the house before being passed and has numerous problematic areas that will either be unenforceable, used for a purpose other than that intended or result in consequences other than those intended.

In short, this is bad legislation that should be immediately repealed to allow full and proper consultation and debate before being considered for UK legislation again.