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Proceeding contribution from Lord Howard of Rising (Conservative) in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 20 January 2010. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Digital Economy Bill [HL].


Digital Economy Bill [HL]

My Lords, as my noble friend has pointed out, the amendment relates back in part to the actions that are currently being undertaken by some copyright owners, which the noble Lord, Lord Clement-Jones, also referred to, in order to protect their material or receive compensation for its unlawful dissemination. In practice, I do not think this sort of bullying is exclusive to the digital world. Licence fee letters from the BBC are certainly unpleasant and bullying—I have rather a good collection of them, actually. There is no question that once the Bill has become law, there will be much less justification for a copyright owner to pursue alleged infringements with the sort of threats and demands that is now sometimes the case. Will the Minister give us any more information about the investigation into the legal organisations that have been sending out these unpleasant letters? What action will be taken against them if they are found to have behaved improperly? Indeed, how disproportionate or threatening must their actions have been before improper behaviour is considered to have occurred? I believe that there are strict rules about the way that solicitors can behave; perhaps the Minister could direct certain people in that direction as well.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
716 c1040-1 
Session
2009-10
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Access Codes of practice Appeals Broadcasting Costs Competition Computer networks Copyright Communication Fees and charges ICT Internet Ofcom Tribunals Subscriptions Internet service providers
Legislation
Digital Economy Bill (HL) 2009-10
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk