Gov Web Disconnections Could Breach EU Law

Gov Web Disconnections Could Breach EU Law

The Government's Digital Economy Bill could be in breach of EU laws, according to an internet law expert. Professor Lilian Edwards has also warned that the Bill could make it impossible to operate a free wireless network legally.
The Bill, published last week, contains an outline of the Government's plans to terminate IT connectivity that record labels have said has been used for illegal file sharing. It could mean that it is impossible to operate any kind of IT service like a wireless, or Wi-Fi, network without the risk of breaking the new law, according to Edwards, who is Professor of Internet Law at the University of Sheffield.

"A lot of people have IT security but a lot of people don't," Edwards said. "I think there is a strong likelihood that having unsecured Wi-Fi might well be seen as allowing other people to use their service which means that effectively you would become responsible for their alleged copyright infringement."