EU Copyright Reform
← Older revision
Revision as of 10:58, 24 February 2017
(10 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 10:
Line 10:
==Parliament==
==Parliament==
===DEBill===
===DEBill===
−
The Digital Economy Bill
went through
the first day of its Report stage on Wednesday.
+
The Digital Economy Bill
had
the first day of its Report stage on Wednesday.
Lords predominantly dealt with amendments regarding broadband speed and mobile contracts. Transcript of the session is available [https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2017-02-22/debates/F8A65E86-C6B9-41CE-8B78-FB1C435A034F/DigitalEconomyBill here].
Lords predominantly dealt with amendments regarding broadband speed and mobile contracts. Transcript of the session is available [https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2017-02-22/debates/F8A65E86-C6B9-41CE-8B78-FB1C435A034F/DigitalEconomyBill here].
Line 18:
Line 18:
The Government published their [http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/files/DEP2017-0141/Lord_Ashton_Lord_LangCommittee_report_on_the_Digital_Economy_Bill.pdf response] to one of the Select Committees’ reports on the DEBill. Lord Ashton addressed the [https://wiki.openrightsgroup.org/wiki/Select_Committee_on_the_Constitution_Report_on_the_Digital_Economy_Bill report by the Committee on the Constitution]. Among other issues, the Committee questioned whether the House of Lords would be able to scrutinise the provisions on online pornography due to lack of details on the face of the bill.
The Government published their [http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/files/DEP2017-0141/Lord_Ashton_Lord_LangCommittee_report_on_the_Digital_Economy_Bill.pdf response] to one of the Select Committees’ reports on the DEBill. Lord Ashton addressed the [https://wiki.openrightsgroup.org/wiki/Select_Committee_on_the_Constitution_Report_on_the_Digital_Economy_Bill report by the Committee on the Constitution]. Among other issues, the Committee questioned whether the House of Lords would be able to scrutinise the provisions on online pornography due to lack of details on the face of the bill.
−
In the response, Lord Ashton merely stated that the Government are preparing a number of amendments for age verification.
+
In the
Government
response, Lord Ashton merely stated that the Government are preparing a number of amendments for age verification.
−
Lords are likely to move onto issues relating to age verification and online copyright infringement mid-March.
+
Lords are likely to move onto issues relating to age verification and online copyright infringement
in
mid-March.
===Consultation on IPAct draft codes of practice===
===Consultation on IPAct draft codes of practice===
The Home Office [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/investigatory-powers-act-2016-codes-of-practice launched a public consultation] on draft codes of practice for the Investigatory Powers Act. The consultation will run until 6 April.
The Home Office [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/investigatory-powers-act-2016-codes-of-practice launched a public consultation] on draft codes of practice for the Investigatory Powers Act. The consultation will run until 6 April.
−
The consultation
seeks
contributions on the [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investigatory-powers-bill-codes-of-practice codes of practice] regarding:
+
The consultation
is looking for
contributions on the [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/investigatory-powers-bill-codes-of-practice codes of practice] regarding:
*Interception of communications
*Interception of communications
*Equipment interference
*Equipment interference
Line 33:
Line 33:
===Question on cybercrime===
===Question on cybercrime===
−
[[Lyn Brown MP]] [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2017-02-07.63349.h&s=%28internet+OR+cyber+OR+computer+OR+web+OR+surveillance+OR+copywrite+OR+%22data+sharing%22%29#g63349.r0 asked] the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of police work primarily on cybercrime cases.
+
[[Lyn Brown MP]] [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2017-02-07.63349.h&s=%28internet+OR+cyber+OR+computer+OR+web+OR+surveillance+OR+copywrite+OR+%22data+sharing%22%29#g63349.r0 asked] the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of police
(officers)
work primarily on cybercrime cases.
−
[[Brandon Lewis MP]] responded that the Home Office collects data on the primary function of police officers. The data is available [https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2016 here].
+
[[Brandon Lewis MP]] responded that the Home Office collects data on the primary function of police officers. The data is available [https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2016 here].
===Question on social networking===
===Question on social networking===
−
[[Chi Onwurah MP]] [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2017-02-08.63701.h&s=%22data+protection%22#g63701.r0 asked] the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment the Department has made of how easy it is for people to move re-use data held by social networking websites.
+
[[Chi Onwurah MP]] [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2017-02-08.63701.h&s=%22data+protection%22#g63701.r0 asked] the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment the Department has made of how easy it is for people to move
and
re-use data held by social networking websites.
[[Matthew Hancock MP]] responded that the EU General Data Protection Regulation introduces a new right to portability which will allow individuals to have their personal data provided by social networking websites in a commonly used machine readable format.
[[Matthew Hancock MP]] responded that the EU General Data Protection Regulation introduces a new right to portability which will allow individuals to have their personal data provided by social networking websites in a commonly used machine readable format.
Line 45:
Line 45:
[http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/louise-haigh/4473 Louise Haigh] [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2017-02-07.63548.h&s=%22data+protection%22 asked] the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the relevant European Commissioner on an adequacy decision for the protection of data transferred between the EU and the UK.
[http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/commons/louise-haigh/4473 Louise Haigh] [https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2017-02-07.63548.h&s=%22data+protection%22 asked] the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what discussions she has had with the relevant European Commissioner on an adequacy decision for the protection of data transferred between the EU and the UK.
−
[[Matthew Hancock MP]] responded that the Government aims to ensure that data flows between the UK and the EU are uninterrupted after Brexit. Hancock did not expand on his explanation since the Brexit negotiations
haven’t
started and he wants to avoid speculation.
+
[[Matthew Hancock MP]] responded that the Government aims to ensure that data flows between the UK and the EU are uninterrupted after Brexit. Hancock did not expand on his explanation since the Brexit negotiations
have not
started and he wants to avoid speculation.
===Question on hacking of schools===
===Question on hacking of schools===
Line 59:
Line 59:
==Other national developments==
==Other national developments==
===LINX surveillance gag clause===
===LINX surveillance gag clause===
−
It was [https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/02/17/linx_snoopers_charger_gagging_order/ reported that London Internet Exchange] (LINX) were given less than two weeks notice
of an effect
of a
new
constitution allowing secret surveillance orders to be implemented without members’ knowledge.
+
It was [https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/02/17/linx_snoopers_charger_gagging_order/ reported that
members of
London Internet Exchange] (LINX) were given less than two weeks
'
notice of a
proposed change to its
constitution allowing secret surveillance orders to be implemented without members’ knowledge.
−
LINX has nearly 800 members including world’s biggest Internet and content providers. At an upcoming meeting, LINX members will be asked to approve a gag clause that will ban appointed directors from asking members to approve technical and security changes to enable surveillance.
+
LINX has nearly 800 members including
some of the
world’s biggest Internet and content providers. At an upcoming meeting, LINX members will be asked to approve a gag clause that will ban appointed directors from asking members to approve technical and security changes to enable surveillance.
−
In practice this will mean that appointed directors will be speaking on behalf of several hundred members who
won’t
be able to raise their concerns and potentially challenge illegal surveillance.
+
In practice this will mean that appointed directors will be speaking on behalf of several hundred members who
will not
be able to raise their concerns and potentially challenge illegal surveillance.
−
These plans were reportedly developed soon after the IPAct came into force. Since the [[European Court of Human Rights]] ruled that [http://rightsinfo.org/huge-new-data-privacy-judgment-plain-english/ bulk interception under the IPAct is unlawful], European Internet companies can be put in a
potential
illegal situation.
+
These plans were reportedly developed soon after the IPAct came into force. Since the [[European Court of Human Rights]] ruled that [http://rightsinfo.org/huge-new-data-privacy-judgment-plain-english/ bulk interception under the IPAct is unlawful], European Internet companies can be put in a
potentially
illegal situation.
===Code of practice for search engines===
===Code of practice for search engines===
−
The [[Intellectual Property Office]] [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/search-engines-and-creative-industries-sign-anti-piracy-agreement announced an agreement] between search engines and creative industries to
stop
consumers
being led
to copyright infringing
websites
.
+
The [[Intellectual Property Office]] [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/search-engines-and-creative-industries-sign-anti-piracy-agreement announced an agreement] between search engines and creative industries to
make it more difficult for
consumers to
find websites that link to or host
copyright infringing
content
.
[https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/20/google-and-bing-to-demote-piracy-websites Google and Bing signed up to a voluntary code of practice] that will make it harder for people to find pirated material on their search engines. They will be notified by rights holders of breaches of their copyright.
[https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/feb/20/google-and-bing-to-demote-piracy-websites Google and Bing signed up to a voluntary code of practice] that will make it harder for people to find pirated material on their search engines. They will be notified by rights holders of breaches of their copyright.
−
The agreement is part of a wider campaign to crackdown on online copyright infringement. Infringing websites can be blocked following a court order and they have been subject to “follow the money” approach - brands are reducing their advertising on illegal websites. The initiative also launched a Get It Right From A Genuine Site campaign to educate consumers on legal ways they can access online content.
+
The agreement is part of a wider campaign to crackdown on online copyright infringement. Infringing websites can be blocked following a court order and they have been subject to
the
“follow the money” approach - brands are reducing their advertising on illegal websites. The initiative also launched a Get It Right From A Genuine Site campaign to educate consumers on legal ways they can access online content.
===New independent reviewer of terrorism legislation===
===New independent reviewer of terrorism legislation===
Line 79:
Line 79:
Max Hill will begin his tenure on 1 March.
Max Hill will begin his tenure on 1 March.
−
Hill
was
involved in prosecuting some
of the
high profile terrorism cases, including the 21/7 bombing plots in 2005 and that of two men from Birmingham who funded one of the suspects in Brussels and Paris terror attacks.
+
Hill
has been
involved in prosecuting some high profile terrorism cases, including the 21/7 bombing plots in 2005 and that of two men from Birmingham who funded one of the suspects in Brussels and Paris terror attacks.
==Europe==
==Europe==
===EU Copyright Reform===
===EU Copyright Reform===
−
[https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/proposal-regulation-laying-down-rules-exercise-copyright-and-related-rights-applicable-certain Plans] introduced by the [[European Commission]] to offer special
protection
for digital
journalism
in
the
Copyright Reform are likely to be stopped in the [[European Parliament]].
+
[https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single-market/en/news/proposal-regulation-laying-down-rules-exercise-copyright-and-related-rights-applicable-certain Plans] introduced by the [[European Commission]] to offer special
rights
for digital
media organisations
in
its
Copyright Reform
package
are likely to be stopped in the [[European Parliament]].
−
The proposals would compensate European publishers for the use of their content on platforms like Google and Facebook (creating a [https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150708/15115331584/eu-politicians-try-to-create-new-link-tax-to-protect-newspapers-who-dont-like-sites-linking-free.shtml link tax]). It was reported that other stakeholders in the matter strongly opposed the Commission’s proposals.
+
The proposals would compensate European publishers for the
re-
use
of small amounts
of their content on platforms like Google and Facebook (creating a
so-called
[https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150708/15115331584/eu-politicians-try-to-create-new-link-tax-to-protect-newspapers-who-dont-like-sites-linking-free.shtml link tax]). It was reported that other stakeholders in the matter strongly opposed the Commission’s proposals.
−
Several EU countries have doubts about the proposals after consistent
lobby
from
the
Silicon Valley and internet activists. Similar plans already resulted in Google [http://www.politico.eu/article/plan-to-make-google-pay-for-news-hits-rocks-copyright-reform-european-commission/ closing down Google News in Spain] and caused [https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/21/google-makes-google-news-in-germany-opt-in-only-to-avoid-paying-fees-under-new-copyright-law/ issues for publishers in Germany].
+
Several EU countries have doubts about the proposals after consistent
lobbying
from Silicon Valley
companies
and internet activists. Similar plans already resulted in Google [http://www.politico.eu/article/plan-to-make-google-pay-for-news-hits-rocks-copyright-reform-european-commission/ closing down Google News in Spain] and caused [https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/21/google-makes-google-news-in-germany-opt-in-only-to-avoid-paying-fees-under-new-copyright-law/ issues for publishers in Germany].
−
The rapporteur [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/124968/THERESE_COMODINI+CACHIA_home.html Therese Comodini Cachia] will [https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/21/google-makes-google-news-in-germany-opt-in-only-to-avoid-paying-fees-under-new-copyright-law/ present a report including amendments] to the Copyright Reform next month. A committee will vote on the added amendments.
Consequently these
will be
voted on in
a broader vote in the [[European Parliament]].
+
The rapporteur [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/124968/THERESE_COMODINI+CACHIA_home.html Therese Comodini Cachia] will [https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/21/google-makes-google-news-in-germany-opt-in-only-to-avoid-paying-fees-under-new-copyright-law/ present a report including amendments] to the Copyright Reform next month. A committee will vote on the added amendments.
Following that, there
will be a broader vote in the [[European Parliament]].
==ORG media coverage==
==ORG media coverage==