Digital Economy Bill May Be Pushed Through Parliament Before May

Several senior UK media industry members reckon that the controversial Digital Economy Bill might be passed before the parliament is adjourned in the beginning of April, ahead of the General elections which will take place in May.

The Digital Economy Bill, which was first announced in the 2009 Queen's Speech before the UK parliament, when passed, will allow UK first secretary of state Lord Peter Mandelson to enforce copyright laws on illegal file sharers without the consent of the parliament.

The bill will also give internet service providers the authority to provide vital information about customers who fail to comply with the law, to the copyright holders so that they can mount legal actions against them.

Talking to the Guardian newspaper, an anonymous media industry insider praised the Digital Economy Bill and added that "The government deserves credit for pushing through a proposal that is not a vote winner. They recognise that the creative industries are a huge asset for the country." 

Previously, the Liberal Democrats forced an amendment in to bill in which UK courts will have the authority to order ISPs to block a website if it hosts content which violates Britain's copyright laws.