Online Copyright Infringement Draft Code

A draft Digital Economy Act Initial Obligations Code, regarding unlawful sharing of copyright material, has been published by OFCOM, the UK's independent regulator and competition authority for communications industries.

The draft Initial Obligations Code proposes the it will initially apply only to the seven largest ("fixed internet access service to more than 400,000 subscribers") internet service providers ("a person who provides an internet access service"): BT, O2, Orange, Post Office, Sky, Talk Talk Group and Virgin Media. However, the effects may be felt by a wider group including many web site owners. This may be as a copyright owner (a "qualifying Copyright Owner" in the code), as a website operator where users can add or share content, as as an organisation that is a subscriber to an ISP affected by the code, or as an organisation whose employees work remotely and are subscribers.

The code describes requirements for Copyright Infringement Reports (CIRs), identification of subscribers, copyright infringement lists, subscriber appeals, and administration, enforcement, disputes and information gathering.

Whatever your views are about the Digital Economy Act 2010 and whether it might be repealed by the new government, if you have comments about the Initial Obligations Code, do make them now. Responses to the consultation must be submitted by 30th July 2010.