Street Arts
How did it happen?
Despite thousands of letters of concern and a petition with over 35,000 signatures of protest, the Bill was rushed through in the final days of parliament during the "wash up process" - it was not given the full scrutiny that it deserved. This is a piece of legislation that gives potentially unlimited power to unelected officials, and assumes guilt on the part of those accused of copyright infringement. We can expect the industry lobbies to be out in force to roll back our human right to freedom of expression in the name of copyright very, very soon.
What's happening now?
Now that the Bill has been passed and the election is underway, candidates from all the main parties are keen to distance themselves from it. They admit that there are serious concerns and that the Bill did not receive the scrutiny and debate it deserves.
Dan Bull / Songwriter
What can you do about this?
- Save The Internet - Asap
We know what your thinking, Save the Internet, what are they going on about. How can anyone save the internet and save it from what you might be thinking. Although it may have escaped your attention or the fact you didnt see that tiny article...
- Hackney Council Terminators Hunt Roa's Rabbit
While organised groups of locals residents debate with Hackney council on the merits of protecting all Banksy works found in the borough. Another heated 'what is art?' debate is raging through the councils corridors of power. Afterall one may...
- Lsd Magazine Interviews Internet Guru & Activist 'austin Heap' - Issue 4
Could you give us some background on yourself, how you honed your skills, and some insight into how you ended up designing software to circumvent Iranian internet filters Well myself and Daniel, the other primary guy that I work with in the non...
- Cartrain V Hirst
Cartrain Steals Damien Hirst's Art (Update) 16 year old graffiti artist Cartrain walked in to the Tate Briton (London) early last week and removed a packet of pencils from one of Damien Hirsts exhibits. Damien Hirst and Cartrain have a long standing...
- Copyright — Equal Opposites
Equal Opposites will present a brand new body of work by the artist C.R.Thomas aka Copyright. Newton’s law states that ‘every action has an equal and opposite reaction’, Copyright explores this notion, but in a metaphysical sense. He explores the...
Street Arts
The Digital Economy Act 2010 (UK) - You are the Enemy!
What is the Digital Economy Act?
The Digital Economy Act is a newly passed piece of British legislation that is meant to protect copyright online and increase regulation and control of the way people use the Internet.How did it happen?
- The entertainment industry is refusing to adapt to new models, clinging to obsolete 20th Century thinking.
- The Bill was drafted by unelected officials after lobbying from the entertainment industry.
- It was passed in a hurry during the Parliamentary "wash up" process without full scrutiny.
- Websites will be blocked for alleged copyright infringement.
- Families accused of sharing copyrighted files will be disconnected without trial. They will have to pay to appeal.
- Even if you don't live in the UK, it sets a worrying precedent for other countries to follow suit.
Despite thousands of letters of concern and a petition with over 35,000 signatures of protest, the Bill was rushed through in the final days of parliament during the "wash up process" - it was not given the full scrutiny that it deserved. This is a piece of legislation that gives potentially unlimited power to unelected officials, and assumes guilt on the part of those accused of copyright infringement. We can expect the industry lobbies to be out in force to roll back our human right to freedom of expression in the name of copyright very, very soon.
What's happening now?
Now that the Bill has been passed and the election is underway, candidates from all the main parties are keen to distance themselves from it. They admit that there are serious concerns and that the Bill did not receive the scrutiny and debate it deserves.
Dan Bull / Songwriter
What can you do about this?
- Ask your candidates whether they oppose the Act. If your MP didn't bother to vote, ask why. Given the important implications this legislation has, it's vital that politicians make their position on the issue clear. E-mail your candidates directly using this tool: http://bit.ly/emailyourcandidates
- Inform your friends about the implications of the Act and the way it threats civil liberties and the future of Internet use.
- Join the Open Rights Group's Action e-mail list. This will keep you informed on further developments and give practical advice on how you can protest against the Digital Economy Act: http://www.openrightsgroup.org/sign-up-against-disconnection
- Save The Internet - Asap
We know what your thinking, Save the Internet, what are they going on about. How can anyone save the internet and save it from what you might be thinking. Although it may have escaped your attention or the fact you didnt see that tiny article...
- Hackney Council Terminators Hunt Roa's Rabbit
While organised groups of locals residents debate with Hackney council on the merits of protecting all Banksy works found in the borough. Another heated 'what is art?' debate is raging through the councils corridors of power. Afterall one may...
- Lsd Magazine Interviews Internet Guru & Activist 'austin Heap' - Issue 4
Could you give us some background on yourself, how you honed your skills, and some insight into how you ended up designing software to circumvent Iranian internet filters Well myself and Daniel, the other primary guy that I work with in the non...
- Cartrain V Hirst
Cartrain Steals Damien Hirst's Art (Update) 16 year old graffiti artist Cartrain walked in to the Tate Briton (London) early last week and removed a packet of pencils from one of Damien Hirsts exhibits. Damien Hirst and Cartrain have a long standing...
- Copyright — Equal Opposites
Equal Opposites will present a brand new body of work by the artist C.R.Thomas aka Copyright. Newton’s law states that ‘every action has an equal and opposite reaction’, Copyright explores this notion, but in a metaphysical sense. He explores the...