Boris Wolf's blog

While various European institutions are currently deciding what the European digital strategy for the next 5 years should be, BEUC has prepared a set of 10 principles that will ensure that European consumers are empowered in their digital lives. While access and fair use principles are included, BEUC put a strong emphasis on the need to respect consumers’ fundamental rights in the digital environment, in particular the rights to data protection, privacy and to the confidentiality of communications.

Which? has welcomed the news that the solicitors’ watchdog will pursue its complaint about a London law firm, Davenport Lyons, which accused hundreds of innocent consumers of illegal file sharing. The internet users accused of illegal sharing received letters from the law firm demanding payment of around £500 compensation for copyright infringement.

Innocent consumers are receiving legal letters accusing them of illegally sharing porn and music files, according to Which? Computing. London law firm ACS Law has already contacted thousands of people who it claims have been illegally sharing copyright material on everything from video games to German techno music. The letters offer the recipients the chance to ‘settle’ the claim by paying a compensation fee of around £500. Over 150 consumers have turned to Which? for help as a result. Matt Bath, Technology Editor at Which?

 In the course of a year, an average family will spend up to €100 more thanks to a new government Decree fixing copyright levies.

While the French Parliament is still busy discussing the government’s new Internet legislation, internet users, privacy groups, consumer organisations and some opposition MPs have launched a scathing attack against what they see as an obsolete, punitive and dangerous legislation.