The Digital Economy Act: What next?

April 21st, 2011

Peter Bradwell: the fight for online rights in the UK is far from over
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Digital Economy Act will impact free expression rights, say ISPs

March 24th, 2011

Two of the UK’s largest internet service providers BT and TalkTalk challenged the legality of the Digital Economy Act 2010 in the High Court yesterday. Antony White QC, acting for the firms, claimed that the new legislation is flawed and incompatible with EU law. It would unlawfully “impact on the privacy and free expression rights” of consumers, he said. The Act was passed by the previous government during last year’s “wash-up” period. BT and TalkTalk won the right to judicial review in November 2010.

UK: BT and TalkTalk challenge Digital Economy Act

July 12th, 2010

Two of the United Kingdom’s largest internet service providers (ISPs) have requested a judicial review be launched into the Digital Economy Act. BT and TalkTalk claim that the act, designed to reduce internet piracy, contravenes European Union legislation. They say the act, which was rushed through parliament before the May general election, will force them to disconnect customer subscriptions on copyright grounds. BT and TalkTalk claim the regulations infringe basic rights and freedoms whilst financially disadvantaging larger ISPs because the legislation will not apply to ISPs with less than 400,000 subscribers.