Anigel blogs

In light of Vince Cables changes to UK copyright legislation I have found myself forced to write to my MP.

In amongst the pages of proposals is the right of the music industry based on suspicion alone to request the immediate disconnection of internet connections without warning or evidence. The internet user will get no chance to defend themselves or see any evidence and unless they pay a £20 fee for the privilege of appealing against their disconnection then they will immediately be classed as guilty.

Many people, myself included, depend on the internet for work and business and cannot afford any risk of the internet being shut off without due process being followed.

FOR THE ATTENTION OF: 

Annette Brooke MP
Mid Dorset and North Poole

Dear Annette Brooke,

I read with absolute horror this morning how Vince Cable has launched a sweeping change to the justice system in the UK.

From a system where someone is innocent until proven guilty, we are suddenly introducing a system where everyone is guilty until they pay a fee just for the chance to try to prove themselves innocent when no evidence has ever been presented to their guilt.

The fact that music companies will be able to request that internet users access is shut off, without having to provide any evidence at all and based solely on the basis of suspicion is begging for systematic abuse, especially when we have seen loads of cases of this industry knowingly threatening innocent people in the past. Not only will the internet of users be shut off without a shred of evidence, or warning, which will be devastating to many people who use the internet for work or business, the abused user will then have to pay £20 for the privilege of appealing against being shut off. In no other situation would we consider it acceptable to charge someone to defend themselves when there is not even any evidence of wrong doing.

I urge you to bring this matter up most urgently as this is a gross infringement of human rights. Allowing this to go unchallenged would be Orwellian to say the least.

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Pantry