Digital Economy Bill
Government introduces the Digital Economy Bill as part of its ambition for the UK to be the most digital nation in the world.
Today sees the introduction of the Digital Economy Bill to Parliament. The Bill forms part of the government’s ambition for the UK to be the most digital nation in the world.
Baroness Neville Rolfe, Minister for Intellectual Property, said:
I am very pleased that the Digital Economy Bill has been introduced today. It includes a number of major intellectual property measures that will help boost our creative industries and protect their hard work.
This government is beginning to deliver on its manifesto commitment to make the UK the best place in Europe to set up a business, innovate and, patent.
The Digital Economy Bill enables everyone to have the right to fast broadband. Automatic compensation for consumers when telecoms suppliers don’t deliver as promised. Tougher penalties for nuisance callers.
The intellectual property elements include:
- increasing the sentencing options for people who infringe copyright laws online. Bringing sentences into line with the current penalties available for “physical infringement”
- enabling registered design owners to give notice of their rights more cheaply and flexibly. By allowing businesses to mark their designs with web addresses to show the rights they hold