Digital Economy Bill

Ben Thornton · 03-29-2010, 03:27 AM

Interesting article in the Guardian last week.

Three main points wrt ebooks:
1. Public Lending Right to be extended to audio and ebooks
2. Attempts to "reduce on-line piracy and copyright theft"
3. Orphan works; extension/licensing of copyright/performers' rights

I don't know why the ability to licence orphaned works gets bundled up with copyright extension - it's over-extended as it is.

zerospinboson · 03-29-2010, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Thornton

Interesting article in the Guardian last week.

Three main points wrt ebooks:
1. Public Lending Right to be extended to audio and ebooks
2. Attempts to "reduce on-line piracy and copyright theft"
3. Orphan works; extension/licensing of copyright/performers' rights

I don't know why the ability to licence orphaned works gets bundled up with copyright extension - it's over-extended as it is.

Most likely because it will now be harder to refuse #3, as it will be part of a "package".

HarryT · 03-29-2010, 04:08 AM

Licensing of "orphan works" sounds like a very good idea. It provides a mechanism for republishing books which would otherwise not be published. Like Ben, though, I really don't see the connection between orphan works and copyright terms. What appears to be being discussed here is the issue of performance copyright, which is currently 50 years in the UK, and is at odds with EU law, which states that it should be extended to 70 years.

Fat Abe · 04-09-2010, 02:00 AM

From http://blogs.zdnet.com/igeneration/?...ontent;wrapper

"The bill, covered quite extensively on this blog, will give the state and government to tell ISP’s to disable and suspend broadband and Internet accounts of users through a three-strike system of copyright infringement; in a nutshell, admittedly."

"Clause 4 through to 17 resolves that if users are caught downloading copyright infringed material, the copyright owners must inform the ISP with evidence within the month. ISP’s must respond with details confirming the fact if need be. More regulation is needed to confirm exactly the further steps needed by the ISP, such as applying technical measures to the broadband account of the accused. Also, Ofcom must produce reports every three and twelve months on the extent and breadth of copyright infringement and consult on whether these debated actions are having any effect."

This sounds like Big Brother and invasion of privacy to me. Ghost Pirate sites will spring up offering JK Rowling's book in electronic format. They'll be badly mangled editions, but it'll trap a lot of unsuspecting users, because the site will be run by the publishers! ENTRAPMENT.

How could this happen in the UK?

zerospinboson · 04-09-2010, 05:27 AM

To quote a /.er:

Quote:

Everyone that watched the debate last night was pretty horrified at how broken the "wash up" process was, and how obviously this bill was pushed through by the front benches without the support of the backbench MPs present. Labour were responsible for 97% of the MPs that gave a yes vote, because those Labour MPs that didn't would have faced severe consequences, perhaps even eviction from the party. Some rebel Labour MPs did vote against, Tom Watson leading them, this guy deserves serious respect for standing up for what he believes despite the pressure.

My MP voted for the bill, so I'm going to vote against in the next election, I'd urge people to do the same, find out if your MP voted and which way by going here:

HarryT · 04-09-2010, 05:29 AM

The bill had the support of all three major parties, so "voting against it" could be rather difficult.

Sparrow · 04-09-2010, 05:32 AM

It will be interesting to see if this has any impact on the provision of public wi-fi hotspots in the UK.

(Would it help to prefix the thread title with 'UK' just to clarify that it relates to what's happening here.)

DawnFalcon · 04-09-2010, 08:16 PM

Orphan Works was removed btw, thanks to photographers having a meltdown over how people would use their work.

zerospinboson · 04-11-2010, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

The bill had the support of all three major parties, so "voting against it" could be rather difficult.

So because they were successfully pressured into voting in favor, voting against it was difficult? :|

DawnFalcon · 04-11-2010, 11:51 AM

"Pressured"?

It's very very hard to pass anything in washup which dosn't have all-party support...

Kali Yuga · 04-11-2010, 12:18 PM

FYI, I believe that professional photographers have managed to kill the "orphan works" provision.

DawnFalcon · 04-11-2010, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kali Yuga

FYI, I believe that professional photographers have managed to kill the "orphan works" provision.

Late.

MV64 · 04-11-2010, 02:49 PM

This obsession with extending copyright laws is ridiculous. If they had their way the writings of ancient Romans would be copyrighted. And I'm a big supporter of protecting private property/income, etc. But this copyright stuff is just so misguided.

HarryT · 04-12-2010, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MV64

This obsession with extending copyright laws is ridiculous.

Unless I've overlooked something, there is no provision in this bill for "extending copyright laws". Which clause of the bill are you referring to?

Sparrow · 04-12-2010, 07:27 AM

"...if users are caught downloading copyright infringed material, the copyright owners must inform the ISP with evidence within the month."

How do copyright owners detect downloaders?

I can see how uploaders would be visible to them, but downloaders?

03-29-2010, 03:27 AM	#1
Ben Thornton Guru Posts: 900 Karma: 779635 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: UK Device: Kindle 3, iPad 2 (but not for e-books)	Digital Economy Bill Interesting article in the Guardian last week. Three main points wrt ebooks: 1. Public Lending Right to be extended to audio and ebooks 2. Attempts to "reduce on-line piracy and copyright theft" 3. Orphan works; extension/licensing of copyright/performers' rights I don't know why the ability to licence orphaned works gets bundled up with copyright extension - it's over-extended as it is.

04-09-2010, 05:32 AM	#7
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	It will be interesting to see if this has any impact on the provision of public wi-fi hotspots in the UK. (Would it help to prefix the thread title with 'UK' just to clarify that it relates to what's happening here.) Last edited by Sparrow; 04-09-2010 at 05:35 AM.

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03-29-2010, 04:08 AM	#3
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Licensing of "orphan works" sounds like a very good idea. It provides a mechanism for republishing books which would otherwise not be published. Like Ben, though, I really don't see the connection between orphan works and copyright terms. What appears to be being discussed here is the issue of performance copyright, which is currently 50 years in the UK, and is at odds with EU law, which states that it should be extended to 70 years.

04-09-2010, 02:00 AM	#4
Fat Abe Man Who Stares at Books Posts: 1,826 Karma: 10606722 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: 50th State, USA. Also, PA, NY, CA, and elsewhere. Device: All of the Above	From http://blogs.zdnet.com/igeneration/?...ontent;wrapper "The bill, covered quite extensively on this blog, will give the state and government to tell ISP’s to disable and suspend broadband and Internet accounts of users through a three-strike system of copyright infringement; in a nutshell, admittedly." "Clause 4 through to 17 resolves that if users are caught downloading copyright infringed material, the copyright owners must inform the ISP with evidence within the month. ISP’s must respond with details confirming the fact if need be. More regulation is needed to confirm exactly the further steps needed by the ISP, such as applying technical measures to the broadband account of the accused. Also, Ofcom must produce reports every three and twelve months on the extent and breadth of copyright infringement and consult on whether these debated actions are having any effect." This sounds like Big Brother and invasion of privacy to me. Ghost Pirate sites will spring up offering JK Rowling's book in electronic format. They'll be badly mangled editions, but it'll trap a lot of unsuspecting users, because the site will be run by the publishers! ENTRAPMENT. How could this happen in the UK?

04-09-2010, 05:29 AM	#6
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,560 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	The bill had the support of all three major parties, so "voting against it" could be rather difficult.

04-09-2010, 08:16 PM	#8
DawnFalcon Banned Posts: 2,094 Karma: 2682 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: N/A	Orphan Works was removed btw, thanks to photographers having a meltdown over how people would use their work.

04-11-2010, 11:51 AM	#10
DawnFalcon Banned Posts: 2,094 Karma: 2682 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: N/A	"Pressured"? It's very very hard to pass anything in washup which dosn't have all-party support...

04-11-2010, 12:18 PM	#11
Kali Yuga Professional Contrarian Posts: 2,045 Karma: 3289631 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: Kindle 4 No Touchie	FYI, I believe that professional photographers have managed to kill the "orphan works" provision.

04-11-2010, 02:49 PM	#13
MV64 Addict Posts: 271 Karma: 2000000 Join Date: Jan 2009 Device: Sony PRS-505	This obsession with extending copyright laws is ridiculous. If they had their way the writings of ancient Romans would be copyrighted. And I'm a big supporter of protecting private property/income, etc. But this copyright stuff is just so misguided.

04-12-2010, 07:27 AM	#15
Sparrow Wizard Posts: 4,395 Karma: 1358132 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: UK Device: Palm TX, CyBook Gen3	"...if users are caught downloading copyright infringed material, the copyright owners must inform the ISP with evidence within the month." How do copyright owners detect downloaders? I can see how uploaders would be visible to them, but downloaders?

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