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Politics

by Mike Masnick

Thu, Mar 25th 2010 4:23pm




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


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

from the corporatocracy-in-action dept

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.

21 Comments | Leave a Comment

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  1.  
    identicon
    elbald90, Mar 25th, 2010 @ 4:30pm

    is there anybody that the public can complain to who oversees this sort of malpractice other than a corrupt mp???

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Mar 25th, 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.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  
    identicon
    Anshar, Mar 25th, 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.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Mar 25th, 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.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  
    identicon
    NAMELESS.ONE, Mar 25th, 2010 @ 5:09pm

    replacing gene simmons wiht ozzy osbourne

    ON THE PITCH FORK

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  
    identicon
    NAMELESS.ONE, Mar 25th, 2010 @ 5:11pm

    start yelling at them as traitors to democracy

    start calling them fascists
    and start using that "N" word more

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  7.  
    identicon
    Simon, Mar 25th, 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......

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  8.  
    identicon
    DJ, Mar 25th, 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.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  9.  
    identicon
    RL, Mar 25th, 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)

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  10.  
    icon
    Chargone (profile), Mar 25th, 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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  11.  
    icon
    Chargone (profile), Mar 25th, 2010 @ 8:40pm

    Re: Re:

    well, it is when it interacts with the politicians chances of getting reelected, anyway

     

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  12.  
    icon
    Chargone (profile), Mar 25th, 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.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  13.  
    icon
    mike allen (profile), Mar 25th, 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.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  14.  
    identicon
    georgied, Mar 26th, 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.

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  15.  
    identicon
    Danboy, Mar 26th, 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!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  16.  
    icon
    martyburns (profile), Mar 26th, 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!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  17.  
    icon
    The i-Team (profile), Mar 26th, 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.....

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  18.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Mar 26th, 2010 @ 6:05am

    Re: replacing gene simmons wiht ozzy osbourne

    Chronoss, go away!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  19.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Mar 26th, 2010 @ 6:17am

    Re: replacing gene simmons wiht ozzy osbourne

    Chronoss, go away!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  20.  
    icon
    gorehound (profile), Mar 26th, 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

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  21.  
    identicon
    travis, May 4th, 2010 @ 9:33pm

    Re: start yelling at them as traitors to democracy

    Yea!

     

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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