[x-pubpol] UK drops web site blocking plans

[Joly MacFie]

http://www.v3.co.uk/v3-uk/news/2098985/government-drops-web-site-blocking-plans-digital-economy-act

The government is to drop web site blocking plans from the controversial
Digital Economy Act (DEA) having deemed the system unworkable based on
information from Ofcom.

The communications watchdog said in its Site Blocking
report<http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/internet/site-blocking.pdf>
that
several methods could be used to block sites, such as IP address blocking,
deep packet inspection and URL blocking, but that none is suitable for the
requirements of sections 17 and 18 of the DEA.

However, the High Court last week ordered BT to block access to the Newzbin
web site under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, which looks likely to
be used for future blocking proposals instead of the DEA.

"We do not believe it is possible to deliver a framework under the DEA which
meets the requirements of copyright owners for a timely implementation of
blocks and a flexible approach from service providers to tackling
circumvention," Ofcom said.

The government also confirmed that, based on information from Ofcom, it will
introduce a £20 fee for anyone appealing against an accusation of illegal
file sharing, which will be refundable if the appeal is successful.

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