Digital Economy Bill - You can still write to your MP

[pollaxe]

Last I heard it was expected to be debated/rubber stamped this evening - 10:30ish rings a bell. I'll bet it's every bit as packed as it was yesterday.

This would be a joke if it weren't so bloody unfunny.

[format]

Well I've emailed my MP... hopefully it'll make a difference.

[finlay666]

emailed my mp about it

Has anyone decided to run as mp purely by social media? Tempted to try and generate the money and run in the next one if I can get the money needed to run for MP and I'm not employed at the time, would be good to actually try to contribute considering the joke that some MPs take with showing up to work on important days

[Platinum]

If you set up a donation fund I am sure there would be a fair few people here who would donate

[finlay666]

If you set up a donation fund I am sure there would be a fair few people here who would donate

I was just thinking if we can get a fair few people to create a party and stand together in areas, and to stand for the younger voter given how our demographic isn't exactly that of politicians

At least we mostly agree on things and can at least compromise to make a common view on things, maybe we can do better than the tories view if publicly being opposed to something... but voting for it anyway

[format]

I have to say I received a very swift response.

[oolon]

When will the ****ing bozos realise it is impossible to bloke web sites? So long as I can talk to another computer outside of there restricted net, I can get to where they don't want me to. To "stop" that loop hole would mean the the design of a completely different internet. The seem to think there are "clients" and there are "servers", and the list of "servers" is controlled some how... Idiots!

[format]

This is my response

I have to say I am pleasantly surprised to receive such a detailed response so swiftly. Thank you.

However, I still disagree with certain aspects of the bill.
Firstly, the amount of people that can access one particular connection is high. I ,for example, am a student and live with 2 other students. I have many friends who live in similar situations. If my flatmate decides to infringe on the copyright of an artist, should myself and my other flatmate then be punished as a result? How about if a 5 year old child downloads the latest chart topping song and is caught - should the child and indeed rest of the child's family be punished?
Similarly, this could also have a negative aspect on the many cafés, bars and other establishments such as public libraries offering wifi as a business or even as a commodity - should they, as the owner of the connection, be punished for something a customer has done?
Conversely, if a person has been 'banned' from using the internet, would there be provisions to stop whoever they happen to be living with setting up a connection in their own name and having the 'banned' person using that line?

If found guilty, I understand the 'guilty' party would be able to appeal. However the terms of this appeal seem rather draconian - no legal aid is available, despite reports of being charged for your appeal. In a complete switch from any normal appeal, the burden of proof now lies with the accused. In other words, if I understand correctly, I would have to prove my innocence, rather than be proven guilty by a court.

One point you make in your reply is that the bill has been given 12 days of debate prior to today. I would firstly like to enquire as to the level of attendance during these debates, and secondly I'd like to point out that with something that is as revolutionary and important to our daily lives should really be given far, far longer than 12 days of debate.

Another disturbing point in the bill is clause 17. I may be mistaken, but this clause allegedly allows the Secretary of State to change the law on copyright without having to put the changes to the law through parliament first. Again, this seems to me to be completely contrary to the democratic nature of our country. There are many potentially nefarious uses for this clause which I do not feel comfortable with any government having.

[stytagm]

It's a bit cryptic, but I think he's voting against it? Unless he's implying that they don't think this bill is rushed through?

I got something similar from him/his pa......

Would like to know what actually happened.

With hindsight, I think his response translated at "Rudy Vis won't vote for poorly debated legislation, by virtue of not turning up at all". Although I'm not certain. Guess we can probably look it up in a few days?

[oolon]

Looks like they passed it.

[directhex]

Well, ****.

1 win: clause 43 (no copyright on photos on t'internet) was removed. All the rest of the awfulness remains.

[oolon]

1 win: clause 43 (no copyright on photos on t'internet) was removed. All the rest of the awfulness remains.

I didn't know about that clause how can they claim to support the right of some copyright holders (music/film) and try to remove it from others completely, pictures, movies after all are just a set of pictures played one after another.

[format]

The thing is - hardcore pirates will either know how to circumvent this measure, or will know someone who can help them circumvent it.
The people who download the most will be unaffected. The people who feel this bill bite the most will the people with a 5 year old who downloads that latest Britney album.

It's utterly pathetic.

[pollaxe]

It's a disgrace but no real surprise.

There's a slim chance the Lords will scupper it but I seriously doubt it.

I'm not a freetard and don't advocate free-for-all downloading but I'm passionately against censorship of the 'net and these muppets (who've been bought and sold by the media companies) do not know enough about what they're doing to be safe. It's like giving a five year old a pack of razors and a shotgun to play with.

I'm adding the killing and eating of Peter bloody Mandelson to my Tolerance Party manifesto after this.

[TheAnimus]

Peter Mandelson, death?

Are you suggesting that someone who is a twice shamed corrupt douche bag, should not be making decisions like this? You will be suggesting that the senior fellow who brought him in unelected to the government makes bad calls next!

[pollaxe]

You're right, I don't know what came over me. I'll go a lie down in a darkened corner for a couple of months until I'm back to normal again.