In case you hadn’t noticed all the nerds and beatniks frothing at the mouth, there is much concern over the UK’s proposed Digital Economy Bill, which has just undergone its second reading by around seventeen of the six hundred and forty six members of parliament (the others were all terribly busy). It is now likely to hit the statute books by way of the “wash-up”, a period at the end of a parliamentary session in which the political class buries the bodies, burns the papers, and chucks through as much legislation as it can, bypassing all the tedious bits of representative democracy like committees, reports, third readings and so on. (Note: John Redwood’s contribution to the debate is worth reading).
The particularly egregious bit of the DE Bill for most people is the potential for media license holders to demand that Internet Service Providers suspend a broadband connection if it is suspected to have been used for copyright infringement (which is still a civil, not a criminal offence).
Unfortunately, the response to this bill has missed its mark, in that the campaigns encourage people to write to their member of parliament (MP). But these guys are no more likely to have an effect on the passage of this bill than your local Parish Councillor.
Intellectual Property is a de facto European Competence, and the soon-to-pass 20XX Digital Economy Bill, and its predecessor the Communication Act 2003, are largely implementing the philosophy of 2001’s Council Directive 2001/29/EC of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society, also touching on Council Directive 93/98/EEC of 29 October 1993 harmonizing the term of protection of copyright and certain related rights [Europe’s version of the Sonny Bono Copyright Extension]
So if you’re going to write to anyone, try your local MEP. If you live in the South-West of England, try Ashley Fox MEP. He’s alright. Ish.
Anyway, as an exercise in the analysis of the impact of the DE Bill (and an excuse to link to this video series), here are two playlists representing over two hours of brilliant, entertaining commentary from Red Letter Media about why George Lucas should be physically restrained from ever touching the Star Wars franchise ever again. Ever.
These videos rely heavily on brief clips from the Star Wars films, and other media. They are educational, satirical, informative, commentary and analysis. But are they fair use? Are they infringements? They’re bloody funny, though. And seriously, George Lucas: No. Just…No.
Mr Plinkett reviews Star Wars: Episode I. The Phantom Menace
Mr Plinkett reviews Star Wars: Episode II. Attack of the Clones
