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Digital Economy Act 2009-10

Type of Bill:
Government Bill
Sponsors:
Lord Mandelson
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Rt Hon Ben Bradshaw
Department for Culture, Media and Sport

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 events

Act of Parliament

House Act Date
Commons Digital Economy Act 2010 c.24 | PDF version, 221KB 13.04.2010

Latest news on the Bill

Following agreement by both Houses on the text of the Bill it received Royal Assent on 8 April. The Bill is now an Act of Parliament (law).

Further information about the progress of the Bill can be found on the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills' Digital Economy Bill page.

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

  • requires Ofcom to report on communications infrastructure and media content
  • imposes obligations on internet service providers to reduce online copyright infringement
  • 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
  • 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
  • includes non-print formats in the public lending right payment scheme

Following amendments in the House of Commons Committee Stage, the Bill no longer provides for the appointment of providers of regional and local news. Provisions in relation to extending copyright licensing and orphan works have also been removed.

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