Why the three strikes rule is a PR issue

: Image by Pesky Library via Flickr

Claire Thompson, Waves PR

In the UK, a new piece of legislation is being proposed that will see anyone reported for filesharing abuse three times automatically disconnected.

On the face of it, this is protecting people’s copyright, which, if they choose to copyright their work, they should have the option of doing. However, there is no trial, no checks and balances.

The PR implications are huge. An organisation’s competitors can cut off its lifeblood – the broadband connection - simply by complaining three times. Or disgruntled ex-staff members. Or simply pranksters.

Lost service, lost customers, lost jobs, lost credibility.

So, here’s the petition against this particular piece of legislation: Number 10 e-petition It only takes a few seconds to ask for a re-think on something that could have lasting, negative effects.

UK Secretary of State seeks sweeping internet copyright protection powers by stealth amendment (dvorak.org)
Was the Digital Economy Bill Consultation a Whitewash? (torrentfreak.com)
Mandelson Wants Gov’t To Have Sweeping Powers To Protect Copyright Holders (techdirt.com)
UK Digital Economy Bill As Bad As Expected; Digital Britain Minister Flat Out Lies About ISP Support (techdirt.com)
UK “Pirate Finder General” law innocuous now, could get ugly (arstechnica.com)
Protests grow over digital bill (news.bbc.co.uk)
Illegal Downloaders Spend More on Music [File Sharing] (lifehacker.com)
Brit business secretary promises to punish accused file-sharers’ families with Internet disconnection by 2011 (boingboing.net)
Illegal Downloads 150x More Profitable Than Legal Sales (torrentfreak.com)

Tags: Digital Britain, PR, public relations

communications, news, PR practise | claireatwaves | November 24, 2009 12:06 pm

1 Comment

By Darryl Coleman, November 24, 2009 @ 12:46 pm

Thanks for posting the article, was certainly a great read!