Digital Economy Bill [HL] 2009-10

Type of Bill:
Government Bill
Sponsor:
Lord Mandelson
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

Progress of the Bill

Bill started in the House of Lords

  1. House of Lords
    1. 1st reading
    2. 2nd reading
    3. Committee stage
    4. Report stage
    5. 3rd reading
  2. House of Commons
    1. 1st reading
    2. 2nd reading
    3. Committee stage
    4. Report stage
    5. 3rd reading
  3. Consideration of Amendments
  4. Royal Assent

Last event

Next event

  • Report stage: House of Lords Report stage: House of Lords | Date to be announced

All previous stages of the Bill

Latest news on the Bill

Line by line examination of the Bill took place during the seventh day of committee stage on 8 February. Amendments discussed covered clauses 31 to 44 of the Bill.

Report stage – further line by line examination of the Bill - is yet to be scheduled.

Summary of the Bill

The Bill implements aspects of Government policy on digital media set out in the ‘Digital Britain’ White Paper published in June 2009.

Key areas

  • extends the role of Ofcom to include reporting on communications infrastructure and media content
  • imposes obligations on internet service providers to reduce online copyright infringement, and allows the Secretary of State to amend copyright legislation to the same end
  • allows the Secretary of State to intervene in internet domain name registration
  • requires Channel Four to provide public service content on a range of media
  • provides more flexibility over the licensing of Channel 3 and Channel 5 services and allows Ofcom to appoint providers of regional and local news
  • modifies the licensing regime to facilitate switchover to digital radio
  • allows variation of the public service provision in Channel 3 and 5 licences
  • provides Ofcom with additional powers in relation to electromagnetic spectrum access
  • extends the range of video games that are subject to age-related classification
  • makes provision for the regulation of copyright licensing
  • includes non-print formats in the public lending right payment scheme

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