UK’s Terrifying Anti-Piracy Plans Leak

[CoFree]

UK’s Terrifying Anti-Piracy Plans Leak
by Ernesto

Tomorrow morning Lord Mandelson will present the Digital Economy Bill to the public, which among other things is aimed at reducing illicit file-sharing. According to parts of the bill that leaked today, the legislation could lead to jail terms for file-sharers and unprecedented power for the entertainment industries.

Over the past months the UK government has tried to tackle the issue of online piracy. This has resulted in a proposal from Lord Mandelson, who plans to disconnect alleged file sharers without any judicial process.

Tomorrow the exact text of the bill is expected to be made public, but according to early reports, the legislation will open all doors for a digital police state where alleged pirates will be crucified by private companies.

Judging from some of the plans that leaked earlier today, the endless lobbying efforts of the entertainment industry by anti-piracy outfits including IFPI and the BPI have definitely paid off.

Cory Doctorow has the scoop on BoingBoing and if accurate, the new legislation will be a disaster for the privacy of all Internet users while giving unprecedented powers to the entertainment industry. Under the new bill the Secretary of State would be able to pass secondary legislation without Parliamentary oversight in order to protect rights holders.

Three reasons are given:

1. The Secretary of State would get the power to create new remedies for online infringements. (for example, he could authorize jail terms for file-sharing, or create a “three-strikes” plan that costs entire families their Internet access if any member stands accused of infringement)

2. The Secretary of State would get the power to create procedures to “confer rights” for the purposes of protecting rightsholders from online infringement. (for example, record labels and movie studios can be given investigative and enforcement powers that allow them to compel ISPs, libraries, companies and schools to turn over personal information about Internet users, and to order those companies to disconnect users, remove websites, block URLs, etc)

3. The Secretary of State would get the power to “impose such duties, powers or functions on any person as may be specified in connection with facilitating online infringement” (for example, ISPs could be forced to spy on their users, or to have copyright lawyers examine every piece of user-generated content before it goes live; also, copyright “militias” can be formed with the power to police copyright on the web)

The leaked information mainly shows that the Secretary of State will have the power to introduce all kinds of draconian measures without Parliamentary oversight. More details on concrete policy dealing with alleged file-sharers and the proposed three-strikes system have yet to be announced.

[after_burners]

thats good news

[dalecheesy]

Well i dare say that the eejit can expect more of the same treatment he's received previously:

[stutterman]

hi everyone will just use vpn's or proxy servers

[tonyuk73]

just to let the world remember what a honest man this lord is.....

In December 1998, it was revealed Mandelson had bought a home in Notting Hill in 1996 with the assistance of an interest-free loan of £373,000 from Geoffrey Robinson, a millionaire Labour MP who was also in the Government, but was subject to an inquiry into his business dealings by Mandelson's department. Although Mandelson alleged he had deliberately not taken part in any decisions relating to Robinson, he knew he should have declared the loan as an interest, and he resigned on 23 December 1998. Mandelson had also not declared the loan to his building society (the Britannia) although they decided not to take any action, with the CEO stating "I am satisfied that the information given to us at the time of the mortgage application was accurate." Mandelson initially thought he could weather the press storm, but had to resign when it became clear that Blair thought nothing else would clear the air.

On 16 October 2000 it was reported that Geoffrey Robinson, the Labour MP, "accused Peter Mandelson of lying to the Commons about the home loan affair that cost both of them their Government jobs."

In January 2001, it was revealed Mandelson had phoned Home Office minister Mike O'Brien on behalf of Srichand Hinduja, an Indian businessman who was seeking British citizenship, and whose family firm was to become the main sponsor of the "Faith Zone" in the Millennium Dome. At the time, Hinduja and his brothers were under investigation by the Indian government for alleged involvement in the Bofors scandal. On 24 January 2001, Mandelson resigned from the Government for a second time, insisting he had done nothing wrong. An independent enquiry by Sir Anthony Hammond came to the conclusion that neither Mandelson nor anyone else had acted improperly. The front page headline in The Independent read in part "Passport to Oblivion"........In October 1998, during his first period in the Cabinet, Mandelson was the centre of media attention when Matthew Parris (openly gay former MP and then Parliamentary sketch writer of The Times) mentioned during a live interview on Newsnight, in the wake of the resignation of Ron Davies, that "Peter Mandelson is certainly gay".

In 2000, Peter Mandelson publicly recognised his long term relationship with his long-time partner, Reinaldo Avila da Silva by allowing photographs of them together.

Mandelson also acquired the nickname "Mandy" by reference to his surname. and thats just half of it i can gather more on this model mp. (edited from wikki..)

[CoFree]

UK Anti-Piracy Plans Slammed By Liberal Democrats
by enigmax

Details of Lord Mandelson’s draconian pro-copyright plans contained in the Digital Economy Bill leaked out yesterday, provoking a wave of dissent. The Liberal Democrats have now made a statement, voicing dismay at this “utterly shameless” attempt to introduce major rules without proper Commons assessment.

Today Lord Mandelson will present the Digital Economy Bill which will include measures aimed at reducing illicit file-sharing. Yesterday parts of the bill leaked out, revealing that the legislation could lead to jail terms for file-sharers and unprecedented powers handed to private entertainment companies.

If this isn’t draconian enough, Mandelson includes giving the Secretary of State the power to introduce major new rules without Parliamentary oversight – this from a twice-fired, unelected politician.

Commenting on Mandelson’s attempt to fast-track proposals to amend the 1988 Copyright Act, and adding fuel to the fire this morning are the Liberal Democrats.

“This is an outrageous attempt to slip through sweeping changes with the minimum of scrutiny,” said Don Foster the Shadow Culture, Media and Sport Secretary.

“We do not live in an autocracy, where major rules can be introduced on the whim of an unelected politician.”

Foster notes that his party does wish to address illegal file-sharing, but rightly adds that a workable solution is only possible through co-operation.

Although there will be many who support a crackdown on rampant piracy, many supporters of democracy on both sides are very concerned at Mandelson’s moves.

“For Lord Mandelson to attempt to create new offenses without proper assessment by the Commons is utterly shameless,” concludes Foster.

Hear, hear.

[xx0warrig0xx]

as a jew, i'm wondering why their is a picture of the most horrible man alive on top of this topic ($h1tler) . I believe piracy should be stopped but as i say that i am a hypocrite

why?

[HaGGardSmurf]

Im hoping this bill doesnt spark the interest of anyone over here, and cause them to try to pass a bill of this kind.

[CoFree]

I am the one that picked the img to use
of hitler

i believe this "Lord Mandelson" is trying to do the same thing that hitler did
one of which was the only way that was right was the way he said.

this "lord (what a joke) Mandelson " is the same damn way but about tech and the net.

being that you bring up being Jewish
i think this so called lord has sold out for a hand full of silver to the music and movie big shots.

it was not my intention to offend
if that is what i was trying to do i would have done a better job than that

[buftyboy]

Thanks for posting this CoFree.Us Brits are getting sick and tired of the nanny state over here.I wonder how much thought has gone into this new bill,it won't just be the normal punter that suffers here.What about the people who work for the huge ISPs,will they have a job to go to when I and people like me cancel my unlimited access to downloads.The only reason I have to pay my £24 per month is so I can use the incredible amount of traffic these servers let us use.
Well as for that dick you are talking about look at the child catcher in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,there is quite a resemblance.He should walk around with a bag over his head,ugly little man with Napoleon syndrome.
Sorry for the rant but I wish these little people would go and live in the real world.

[CoFree]

[mrcaty]

Absolutely Brilliant! that put a very big on my face

[tonyuk73]

love the vid.