Liberal Democrats oppose Digital Economy Act

THE LESSER PART of the UK coalition Government has come out in opposition of the Digital Economy Act, over a year after it first opposed it and now somewhat later than it dropped plans to oppose it.

The Digital Economy Act and overturning it was a hot topic on the Lib Dem campaign trail, but like the end of university fees it was forgotten once the party was welcomed into the arms of the Conservatives.

For some reason this week the party has decided that now is the time to revisit its old arguments again and explain that the pretty much all sewn up Digital Economy Act is an ass.

At the party's Autumn Conference held this week the party, like the other parties, said that a vibrant digital economy needs measures to stimulate innovation. This apparently does not involve bending over backwards for record companies, no matter what Lord Mandelson and others may believe.

"IT is so important to Britain already - and it has the potential to drive a new, greener and more sustainable economy. Tackling piracy is important, but it shouldn't be seen as an end in itself. It's more important to create conditions that reward innovation and talent, and ensure that creators get the benefits of their work," said the chair of the Information Technology Policy Working Group and MP for Cambridge, Julian Huppert.

"The Digital Economy Act fails to do that; worse, it sorely lacks a convincing evidence base and real democratic legitimacy. I am delighted that Conference has passed this motion calling for the damaging parts of the Act to be repealed, and suggesting new ways for the digital economy to grow."

The party was making similar noises at a conference in May of last year. Then, without the benefit of foresight, it trod then same line, explaining that it wanted its members to "take all possible steps to ensure the repeal of those sections of the Digital Economy Act 2010 which are inconsistent with policy motion 'Freedom, creativity and the Internet'".

Just a week later in response to a question on the Act, party leader Nick Clegg added, "We're not going to repeal it." µ