UK Record Label Boss Resigns From BPI/IFPI Committees Due To Mandelson's Digital Economy Bill
from the speak-with-your-feet dept
BPI and IFPI, lobbying groups that represent record labels, have been major supporters of Peter Mandelson’s Digital Economy Bill, that will grant him powers to change copyright law at will, and to kick people off the internet based on accusations (not convictions) of file sharing. However, it appears that at least some record labels are realizing what an incredibly bad idea this is. EFF points us to the news that the boss of indie label Pure Mint Recordings has resigned from both the BPI and IFPI committee’s he was a part of, citing his opposition to the Digital Economy Bill, and both organizations support of the bill:
Hall believes the proposed legislation has been rushed in a bid to get it through parliament before the next General Election, that it is in danger of disregarding some sacred legal principles (regarding process, presumption of innocence and burden of proof) and that it won’t solve the record industry’s piracy problems anyway.
In his resignation letter to the BPI, Hall writes: “I have enjoyed contributing to both [the BPI’s] Rights [Committee] and the [IFPI’s] ILC, but increasingly feel that my contributions are falling on deaf ears as an agenda has already been reached that I now consider is unmovable. As you know, I do not think the Digital Economy Bill is a sensible or well thought out piece of legislation. In my view it is being rushed through the last months of a parliament of an unpopular government and it is not legislation that I support”.
Referencing clause 17 – the one that gives senior ministers the right to change copyright laws on whim – he continued: “I am particularly surprised that the record industry has chosen to endorse s.17 of the DEB, which I consider is wholly undemocratic and contrary to centuries of good practice regarding the forming of our copyright legislation. I also believe it may set a dangerous precedent going forwards (and could come back to haunt the industry)”.
Filed Under: copyright, digital economy bill, labels, peter mandelson, three strikes, uk
Companies: bpi, ifpi, pure mint
Comments on “UK Record Label Boss Resigns From BPI/IFPI Committees Due To Mandelson's Digital Economy Bill”
Scary stuff
I get shivers down my spine reading this article, not least of which:
(1) The whole “it is being rushed through the last months of a parliament of an unpopular government” concept, gives the appearance it will get passed and attributed to unpopular politicians no longer in office.
(2) That Hall speaks of the movement of the bill, the agenda of the committees, and the resulting law as if they are one continuous thread. It sounds as if these groups think they write laws and pass them. And if my tone sounds condescending and naive there, isn’t that scary too?
Well whats even worse is since they err I should say Mandelson would have the power to change copyright law at whim. I assume this would even mean copyright changes in this bill such as the three strikes law. Couldn’t they just drop it from three strikes to one?
I really hope this doesn’t get a chance to pass before the next General Election and perhaps at least a few somewhat intelligent paid minions have the mind to stand against the bill.
What if it passes, and what if one of the next people to hold that office doesn’t like copyright much.
Couldn’t he completely do away with it, since he can change it on a whim basically?
Re: Re:
Probably not. It doesn’t seem he really would get powers to change copyright, only to institute new penalties for copyright infringement. And as the bill is written it doesn’t seem he would have the power to withdraw such penalties once they are instituted.
Lord Mandelson reminds me of something ....
Oh yeah …. the movie “V for Vendetta”
He reminds me of the horrible little troll of a dictator in that movie.
“I am particularly surprised that the record industry has chosen to endorse s.17 of the DEB, which I consider is wholly undemocratic and contrary to centuries of good practice regarding the forming of our copyright legislation. I also believe it may set a dangerous precedent going forwards (and could come back to haunt the industry)”
The line “and could come back to haunt the industry” is a constant when it comes to the recording insustry. This is the reason I want this bill passed. Because every change they request to IP law will not only be used by them, but by other industries against them. It is better to have this happen in the UK than it is to have ACTA be signed by the US.
Mandelson...
Reminds me of Darth Vader and The Evil Empire… Although it is difficult to keep a straight face now after seeing “Dark Helmet” in the movie “SpaceBalls” so, so long ago. ;D
I’m certain that when Mandelson’s foreign-exchange visa has expired we can all rejoice when he returns to his country of origin.. NORTH KOREA!!
;p
;p
;p
Not good
Good for him but still bad news for the rest of us, with that out-of-touch, non-elected idiot trying to make himself a dictator and currying favour with the music industry. Needs a few more people to stand up and be counted.
Mandelson = Palpatine anyone?