The Digital Economy Bill – or how to screw up free WiFi
The bill is an attempt by the government to crack down on internet copyright infringement, not a bad idea in itself, but as usual with this government, it is the implementation that’s totally screwed. By attempting to place the burden on the provider, the bill, which went through the house of Lords this week and looks set to fly unless someone DOES something, is likely to affect, Internet Cafe, Hotels, service providers, trains and the PUBLIC.
Anyone offering WIFI access – how about the COUNTLESS FON USERS !!???!!
The bill could also affect any small business that allows for home working… the list goes on and on and on… apart from anything else, why on EARTH should any hotel, faced with the possibility of having to police the use of their WIFI – which is WAY beyond the technical or managerial skills of your average hotel, why should they BOTHER to continue to offer free WIFI.
We’re still living in the DARK ages in the UK and this bill is about to make it a LOT WORSE. What about the free WIFI on TRAINS??!!??
If ever there was an example of the government trying to turn us all into willing participants in a POLICE STATE you are now looking at it!!!
You may find these links useful…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/apr/08/internet-piracy-bill
http://www.fsb.org.uk/policy/assets/0310%20digital%20economy%20bill%20briefing.pdf
http://www.openrightsgroup.org/
http://computingblogs.typepad.com/peter_scargill/
and to gripe to your MP