Music Business Journal: Britain's New Lockdown Law

On April 9, the British Parliament announced its approval of the highly debated Digital Economy Act. It was first mentioned in the Queen's Speech to the British legislature in November 2009, and royal consent followed three weeks ago, on April 8, 2010. The law goes into effect in June.

The purpose of the DEA is "to ensure a communication infrastructure that [fits] the digital age." Along with several provisions that include the regulation of television and radio stations, the DEA seeks to enforce stricter measures and penalties on online copyright infringers. It proposes a method similar to a graduated response: notifications on potential infringers are forwarded by the ISPs to the Office of Communications or Ofcom, accountable to Parliament; Ofcom can then take "technical measures" to disconnect the offending ISP accounts temporarily....

Read more about the Digital Economy Act in Berklee's Music Business Journal.