Digital bill called into question

The Digital Economy Act has been called into question by two internet service providers (ISPs).

BT and TalkTalk have appealed for a judicial review into the law, claiming that it was rushed through before the general election in May, the BBC reported.

Both firms have questioned whether or not the act, which was brought in to stop illegal file-sharing, harms people's 'basic rights and freedoms'.

However, the government told the BBC: 'The Digital Economy Act sets out to protect our creative economy from the continued threat of online copyright infringement, which industry estimates costs the creative industries, including creators, £400m per year.'

Under the law, illegal file sharers will initially have their internet connection slowed and if they regularly offend, it will be cut off.

ISPs have argued that this will lead customers to smaller providers to avoid detection.

But the law has been largely welcomed by people in the creative industries, particularly those in music, as it aims to improve their revenue through copyright law and sales.