The Digital
Economy Bill, introduced today, sets out Government plans to
ensure the UK is at the leading edge of the global digital economy.
Published jointly by the Department for Business and the
Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Bill aims to support
growth in the creative and digital sectors and includes measures
aimed at tackling widespread online infringement of creative
copyright, such as peer-to-peer file-sharing.
Other key proposals look to strengthen the UK’s communications
infrastructure, such as superfast broadband, via the introduction
of new Ofcom duties to encourage investment.
The Bill also puts in place measures to protect the creation of a
range of engaging public service content, from multiple providers,
on multiple platforms. Specifically, it addresses the urgent need
for action to secure provision of news in the nations, locally and
in the regions.
Lord Mandelson said:
“On current definitions our digital economy accounts for nearly
£1 in every £10 that the whole British economy produces each year
– so our creative and digital industries are key to Britain’s
future economic success. This Bill will give them the framework to
develop competitively and make the UK a global creative leader.
“Better protecting our creative communities from the threat of
online infringement will ensure existing and emerging talent is
rewarded and will bring new choices for online consumers.”
“Creating the right conditions for investment in our
communications infrastructure will bring benefits for households
and businesses in all parts of the country.”
Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw said:
"Our digital economy is worth around 8% of GDP.
“Britain's creative industries have become number one in
the world as a proportion of our economy.
“This Bill is a key part of the Government's active
industrial strategy and will maintain and build on
Britain's leading position. It includes measures to
ensure universal broadband, the protection of music, film and
other creative content and the future of quality local and
regional news. The market will not provide these things, only
Government action can.”
Key measures in the Digital Economy Bill
Online infringement of copyright
Take action on unlawful peer-to-peer filesharing by obliging
individual ISPs to take action against infringers.
An update to the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act so that if,
in future, new communications technologies allow creative content
to be unlawfully copied in new ways, remedies can be developed and
implemented more quickly and flexibly than might otherwise be
possible.
Extended Collective Licensing
Modernise the copyright licensing system to make it simpler and
quicker for licensing societies to make content available online
to consumers and to support innovative commercial services that
rely on copyright material.
Orphan works
Unlock large volumes of previously unusable cultural content or
‘orphan works’ where the rights holder cannot be identified or
found, for public and commercial use.
Independent and high quality news
Support the plurality of regional and local news, giving Ofcom
powers to appoint and fund Independently Funded News Consortia and
future proof Channel 3 and Channel 5 licensees, including
adjusting requirements of Channel 3 licence holders to produce or
broadcast Gaelic programming.
Public Lending Rights
Extend public lending rights to include digital material such as
audio and e-books. This will mean producers and artists who have
created this content will be rewarded when material is lent out
from public libraries.
Digital infrastructure and content
Give Ofcom new duties to promote investment in communications
infrastructure where this is needed and to make a formal
assessment of the UK’s communications infrastructure every two
years. Alongside this a new duty for Ofcom to encourage investment
in public service content where this is needed.
Internet domain names
Ensure the efficient allocating and registering of internet
domain names in the UK by taking reserve powers.
Digital radio
Update the regulatory framework to prepare for moves to digital
switchover for radio by 2015.
Channel 4 Corporation
Update its functions to encompass public service content on all
media platforms - online as well as television – to make it fit
for the digital age.
Mobile and wireless broadband
Enable development of next generation mobile broadband services
by allowing for the charging of periodic payments such as
Adminstered Incentive Pricing on auctioned spectrum licences and
allowing OFCOM to levy monetary penalties for failure to meet
certain licence conditions.
Video games
Protect children by making age ratings compulsory for all boxed
games designed for those aged 12 or above.
Notes to editors:
The Digital Economy Bill is a joint Bill between the Department
of Business Innovation and Skills and the Department for Culture,
Media and Sport. It was published today, 20 November 2009. For
youtube clips, FAQs and other digital media information, visit:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/digitaleconomybill
The Bill is the legislative programme that realises many of the
recommendations made in the Government’s Digital Britain White
Paper, published on 16 June 2009. A copy can be found at:
http://services.parliament.uk/bills/2009-10/digitaleconomy.html
Department for Business Innovation & Skills press
enquiries: 020 7215 6403 www.bis.gov.uk and Department
for Culture, Media and Sport press enquiries: 020 7211 6267 www.culture.gov.uk
Department for Business, Innovation &
Skills
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is
building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the
conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise
and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to
succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities
and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.
Contacts:
BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Joanna Robotham
Phone: 020 7215 5950
Joanna.Robotham@bis.gsi.gov.uk