Bad U.K. Copyright Bill Will Leap The Pond In No Time

[Commentary] Barring some unforeseen development, the House of Commons in the U.K. will approve a dreadful piece of legislation called the Digital Economy Bill being pushed by the entertainment, sports and other industries. The implications for the U.S. are enormous.

The legislation, which would allow Internet users to be thrown off line for copyright infringement, or even to block access to entire Web sites, is scheduled to come up for consideration tomorrow (Tues.) under a fast-track process called "wash-up," used at the end of Parliamentary sessions, much as the "wrap-up" is used in the U.S. Congress - for bills to be taken up with little debate. The bill has already been passed by the House of Lords, so action by Commons would be the final step in approvals before the current session of Parliament ends, expected to be on April 12. About 20,000 people have already sent letters to their Members of Parliament asking that the bill receive proper debate. It now appears as if several hours of discussion have been scheduled for tomorrow (April 6).