British laws designed to curb online copyright infringement violate human rights, according to a report for the UN.
Provisions of the Digital Economy Act that could see music and film pirates cut off from the internet are disproportionate, it said, contradicting a recent judgment at the High Court.
Frank La Rue, the reportââ¬â¢s author and UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression, called on the government to ââ¬Årepeal or amendââ¬Â the legislation.
He said he was ââ¬Åalarmed by proposals to disconnect users from Internet access if they violate intellectual property rightsââ¬Â.
ââ¬ÅThis also includes legislation based on the concept of ââ¬Ëgraduated responseââ¬â¢, which imposes a series of penalties on copyright infringers that could lead to suspension of Internet service, such as the so-called ââ¬Ëthree strikes lawââ¬Â in France and the Digital Economy Act 2010 of the United Kingdom.ââ¬Â
Under the legislation those who do not respond to warnings against unlawful downloading could face a regime ââ¬Åtechnical measuresââ¬Â, imposed by broadband providers. The sanctions are likely to include speed limits and suspension of access for the most persistent.
ââ¬ÅThe Special Rapporteur urges States to repeal or amend existing intellectual copyright laws which permit users to be disconnected from Internet access,ââ¬Â says Mr La Rueââ¬â¢s report, which will be presented to the UNââ¬â¢s human rights council today.
In April the High Court found that law is proportionate, however, following a challenge by BT and TalkTalk. They applied for leave to appeal but were turned down. On Friday the pair said they would apply to the Court of Appeal, but not on human rights grounds.
Rest of article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8553128/Filesharing-laws-breach-human-rights.html
Provisions of the Digital Economy Act that could see music and film pirates cut off from the internet are disproportionate, it said, contradicting a recent judgment at the High Court.
Frank La Rue, the reportââ¬â¢s author and UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression, called on the government to ââ¬Årepeal or amendââ¬Â the legislation.
He said he was ââ¬Åalarmed by proposals to disconnect users from Internet access if they violate intellectual property rightsââ¬Â.
ââ¬ÅThis also includes legislation based on the concept of ââ¬Ëgraduated responseââ¬â¢, which imposes a series of penalties on copyright infringers that could lead to suspension of Internet service, such as the so-called ââ¬Ëthree strikes lawââ¬Â in France and the Digital Economy Act 2010 of the United Kingdom.ââ¬Â
Under the legislation those who do not respond to warnings against unlawful downloading could face a regime ââ¬Åtechnical measuresââ¬Â, imposed by broadband providers. The sanctions are likely to include speed limits and suspension of access for the most persistent.
ââ¬ÅThe Special Rapporteur urges States to repeal or amend existing intellectual copyright laws which permit users to be disconnected from Internet access,ââ¬Â says Mr La Rueââ¬â¢s report, which will be presented to the UNââ¬â¢s human rights council today.
In April the High Court found that law is proportionate, however, following a challenge by BT and TalkTalk. They applied for leave to appeal but were turned down. On Friday the pair said they would apply to the Court of Appeal, but not on human rights grounds.
Rest of article: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/news/8553128/Filesharing-laws-breach-human-rights.html
