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As Expected Digital Economy Bill To Be Rushed Through With No Debate

from the corporatocracy-in-action dept

Thu, Mar 25th 2010 4:23pm — Mike Masnick

As was predicted by recording industry lobbyists a few weeks back, once the Digital Economy Bill made it through the House of Lords, the House of Commons would not debate it. Instead, it looks like it will get pushed through via the "wash-up" process. Of course, this has resulted in many people asking a rather simple question. Considering the massive controversy surrounding this bill, why won't Parliament at least debate it? The real answer is pretty obvious, of course. This entire bill was pushed through by corporate entertainment industry lobbyists, and they know full well that with the upcoming election in the UK, a debate on this bill would likely kill it. So, screw democracy when you have a business model to prop up. Screw basic civil, human and privacy rights, if it helps the bottom line of a few companies too stubborn to adapt.

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Filed Under: debate, digital economy bill, uk, wash up

21 Comments

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elbald90, 25 Mar 2010 @ 4:30pm

is there anybody that the public can complain to who oversees this sort of malpractice other than a corrupt mp???
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- Anshar (profile), 25 Mar 2010 @ 4:49pm
  
  Re:
  Well, here in Canada our system (which pretty much matches the UK's on which it's based) requires that once a bill is passed by both houses, it requires royal assent. This is given by the Governor General (the Queen's proxy) and as a matter of tradition, it is a rubber stamp. But technicaly I suppose she *could* withhold royal assent and therefore I assume the Queen could too. Probably one-in-a-million (or worse) odds that it happens, but other that about the only option is to elect new MPs who run on the promise to repeal the law after the fact.
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  - Chargone (profile), 25 Mar 2010 @ 8:39pm
    
    Re: Re:
    Australia actually had that happen once... major crisis
    
    NZ's governer has never done so. (though almost actually did something in their capacity as Comander in chief of the NZ armed forces during ww1 to avoid the PM taking the flack for something that needed doing. almost. the PM decided he didn't need the help.)
    
    has canada's GG ever actually Done anything in thier own right?
    
    on paper, the governers' and monarch's powers are few, but Very powerful in NZ... in practice they're non existent because they always do whatever the heck the PM wants, choose the PM based on the stupid tradition of 'whoever is the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties in parliment', and Refuse to withold consent when they should because it might cause a constitutional crisis. like the constitution of this country is worth a damn thing when they DON"T act in accordance with it
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  - mike allen (profile), 25 Mar 2010 @ 11:26pm
    
    Re: Re:
    I dont think royal assent has ever been withheld in recent years like since 1960s in UK law.i hope the bill is unworkable lets face itany ISP that can monitor what everyone is sending / recieving is a giantic task.
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Anonymous Coward, 25 Mar 2010 @ 4:45pm

So if I have this about right, certain corporations can subvert the democratic process against the public's wishes but the public cannot subvert certain corporate business practices by engaging in copyright infringement because certain corporations refuse to acknowledge reality?

Good to know.
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- Anonymous Coward, 25 Mar 2010 @ 4:59pm
  
  Re:
  A corporation's right to protect their intellectual monopoly is more important than a public's right to protect their democracy.
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  - Chargone (profile), 25 Mar 2010 @ 8:40pm
    
    Re: Re:
    well, it is when it interacts with the politicians chances of getting reelected, anyway
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NAMELESS.ONE, 25 Mar 2010 @ 5:09pm

replacing gene simmons wiht ozzy osbourne
ON THE PITCH FORK
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- Anonymous Coward, 26 Mar 2010 @ 6:05am
  
  Re: replacing gene simmons wiht ozzy osbourne
  Chronoss, go away!
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- Anonymous Coward, 26 Mar 2010 @ 6:17am
  
  Re: replacing gene simmons wiht ozzy osbourne
  Chronoss, go away!
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NAMELESS.ONE, 25 Mar 2010 @ 5:11pm

start yelling at them as traitors to democracy
start calling them fascists
and start using that "N" word more
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- travis, 4 May 2010 @ 9:33pm
  
  Re: start yelling at them as traitors to democracy
  Yea!
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Simon, 25 Mar 2010 @ 5:32pm

I saw a webcast of protesters outside the Houses of Parliament yesterday. Dan Bull even sang an impromptu rendition of "Dear Mandy". Not that it seems to have helped at all......
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DJ, 25 Mar 2010 @ 6:24pm

Hmmmm let's see.
"So, screw democracy when you have [an agenda] to [further]. Screw basic civil, human and privacy rights, if it helps the bottom line of a few [politicians] too stubborn to [listen to their constituents]."

Yep, that sounds about right.
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RL, 25 Mar 2010 @ 6:36pm

No debate?
And so, World War 3: The Internet War shall soon begin...

The Freedom Fighters (Internet Users, The Pirate Party) vs. The anti-Internet Brigade (U.S Government, RIAA, MPAA)
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- Chargone (profile), 25 Mar 2010 @ 8:42pm
  
  Re: No debate?
  ... the amusing part is that this could potentially result in the 'pirates' actually having warships at their disposal.
  
  incredibly unlikely, but an amusing possibly.
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georgied, 26 Mar 2010 @ 2:07am

Finally got a response back from my MP. It is scheduled to be debated further during the Second Reading on the 6th April. So there's still time to petition your MP, failing that old Queenie.
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- The i-Team (profile), 26 Mar 2010 @ 3:22am
  
  Re:
  Oh really? I got the standard boilerplate letter back from both my MP and Harriet Harman's office. Basically saying "Thanks for your letter but we're going to ignore it anyway". Good to know at least one of our elected officials is taking this seriously.....
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Danboy, 26 Mar 2010 @ 2:54am

Royal Assent
The monarchy is essentially a bit of fluff for tourists and old people - this unelected position would end if decisions were ever made (the Royal Family are more aware of this than anyone).

Far better to have elected officials (or 'cabs for hire') lobbied, and unelected Business Secretary's create our legislation!
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martyburns (profile), 26 Mar 2010 @ 3:20am

Get in touch with your MP
All UK residents, you can get in touch with your MPs here:

http://www.writetothem.com/

Power to the People!
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gorehound (profile), 26 Mar 2010 @ 2:10pm

UK Folk Revolt
corporate entertainment industry lobbyists are a piece of krap.
The UK Folks should boycott all the big content makers till their wallets dry up.
Buy used not new.Screw over the greedbags.The revolution will not be televised
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