Broadband News

Broadband providers mount legal battle against piracy laws

Friday, 08 July 2010

By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

Two of the UK’s biggest providers, BT broadband (www.BT.com) and TalkTalk broadband (www.Talktalk.co.uk) have joined forces in a fight against the government’s Digital Economy Act.

The suppliers, which have a broadband customer base of over nine million, revealed yesterday that they had filed papers with the High Court, asking for a judicial review into the Digital Economy Act.

As well as voicing concerns that the Act, which is designed to combat online piracy, was rushed through parliament without the proper scrutiny, the providers believe that the measures “could harm citizens as well as impact both businesses”.

Various elements of the Act have been criticised by broadband providers, MPs and human rights groups - most notably the decision to start disconnecting illegal downloaders from the net if piracy cannot be cut by 70% before 2012.

Charles Dunstone, chairman of the TalkTalk Group, said: “The Digital Economy Act's measures will cost the UK hundreds of millions and many people believe they are unfair, unwarranted and won't work.

“So it’s no surprise that in Nick Clegg’s call for laws to repeal, this Act is top of the public’s ‘wish list’.

“Innocent broadband customers will suffer and citizens will have their privacy invaded. We think the previous government's rushed approach resulted in flawed legislation. That’s why we need a judicial review by the High Court as quickly as possible before lots of money is spent on implementation.”

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