Google, Facebook, Yahoo and eBay have joined forces to write a strongly worded letter to our very own Peter Mandelson opposing the Government’s Digital Economy Bill.
In particular, the web super giants are all het up about Clause 17 of the bill which they say risks stifling innovation because it gives the Secretary of State the ability to amend the Copyright, Designs and Patent Act willy nilly.
The letter, signed by reps for eBay UK, Facebook, Yahoo UK & Ireland and Google, states:
“We believe the bill’s Clause 17 – which gives any future Secretary of State unprecedented and sweeping powers to amend the Copyright, Design and Patent Act – opens the way for arbitrary measures.”
It continues: “This would discourage innovation, impose unnecessary costs, potentially unsettling the careful balance of responsibilities for enabling market change which Lord Carter outlined in the Digital Britain report.
This clause is so wide that it could put at risk legitimate consumer use of current technology as well as future developments.”
The letter finishes: “We urge you to remove Clause 17 from the bill.”
The bill is set to have its second reading in the House of Lords today, although it will be subsequently redrafted before it becomes law.
Out TBC | Digital Economy Bill (via Wired UK)
