An Early Day Motion to repeal parts of the Digital Economy Act (DEA) 2010 has only gained 34 signatories in a month. The motion (EDM17) put forward by Julian Huppert, Liberal Democrat MP for Cambridge hopes to remove some parts of the Act that were rushed through by the last government without proper debate.
"That this House believes that sections nine to 18 of the Digital Economy Act 2010 should not have been rushed through in the dying days of the last Parliament; further believes that these sections have large repercussions for consumers, civil liberties, freedom of information and access to the internet; and calls on the Government to introduce early legislation to repeal those provisions."
Early Day Motion 17, Effects of Digital Economy Act 2010 on use of the Internet
The points in question refer to obligations to limit Internet access and the relevant processes around implementing this such as appeals and sharing of costs. Also included is the controversial law allowing the Secretary of State to apply to a court for an injunction to block access to a location on the Internet which is or is likely to be used for infringing copyright. Unfortunately, Early Day Motions rarely actually make it to being debated in parliament, and are often used as a way of publicising views of MPs. With little support for this motion, we are unlikely to see anything changed with regard to the DEA. Voters can encourage their MP to sign the motion by writing to them to take action.
I wrote and spoke to my MP before the bill went through washup. she hadn't a clue what I was talking about but assured me it wouldn't get through because she had checked with colleagues and they told her it was so flawed it didn't stand a chance. She didn't go down to vote against it and the rest is history. Many of us have already written to our MPs, but they don't understand the bill, and the party lines are to leave it alone. Dunno what else we can do? write to them again?