Innovation UK > News > Innovation News > Digital Economy Bill launched

Promising to support growth in the creative and digital sectors, the Digital Economy Bill has finally been introduced, with the aim of ensuring the UK leads the global digital economy.

Published jointly by the Department for Business and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Bill includes measures aimed at tackling widespread online infringement of creative copyright, such as peer-to-peer file-sharing.

Other key proposals will strengthen the UK?s communications infrastructure, such as superfast broadband, via the introduction of new Ofcom duties to encourage investment.

The Bill also puts in place measures to protect the creation of a range of engaging public service content, from multiple providers, on multiple platforms. It also addresses the need for action to secure provision of news in the nations, locally and in the regions.

Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Lord Mandelson, said: ?On current definitions, our digital economy accounts for nearly £1 in every £10 that the whole British economy produces each year ? so our creative and digital industries are key to Britain?s future economic success. This Bill will give them the framework to develop competitively and make the UK a global creative leader.

?Better protecting our creative communities from the threat of online infringement will ensure existing and emerging talent is rewarded and will bring new choices for online consumers.?

?Creating the right conditions for investment in our communications infrastructure will bring benefits for households and businesses in all parts of the country.?

However, Jeremy Hunt, the Shadow Culture Secretary, said that the Government would be ?cutting it very fine? in trying to get the Digital Economy Bill through Parliament before an election. Even with Tory support, he did not think that the legislation would pass.

The Conservatives back most of the proposals, which include disconnecting persistent internet pirates and facilitating the launch of services such as Google Books. However, Mr Hunt said the party still had strong opposition to sections of the Bill that proposed using public money to fund regional news on commercial broadcasters.