Digital Economy Act 2010 Explanatory Notes

1. Introduction

2. Background

3. Structure of the Act

4. Territorial Extent and Application

5. Commentary on Sections

   1. Topic 1: OFCOM reports

      1. Section 1: OFCOM reports on infrastructure, internet domain names etc.

      2. Section 2: OFCOM reports on media content

   2. Topic 2: Online infringement of copyright

      1. Background

      2. Section 3: Obligation to notify subscribers of reported infringements

      3. Section 4: Obligation to provide infringement lists to copyright owners

      4. Section 5: Approval of code about the initial obligations

      5. Section 6: Initial obligations code by OFCOM in the absence of an approved code

      6. Section 7: Contents of the initial obligations code

      7. Section 8: Progress reports

      8. Section 9: Obligations to limit internet access: assessment and preparation

      9. Section 10: Obligations to limit internet access

      10. Section 11: Code by OFCOM about obligations to limit internet access

      11. Section 12: Contents of code about obligations to limit internet access

      12. Section 13: Subscriber appeals

      13. Section 14:  Enforcement of obligations

      14. Section 15: Sharing of costs

      15. Section 17: Power to make provision about injunctions preventing access to locations on the internet

      16. Section 18 Consultation and Parliamentary scrutiny

   3. Topic 3: Powers in relation to internet domain names

      1. Background

      2. Section 19: Powers in relation to internet domain registries

      3. Section 20:  Appointment of manager of internet domain registry

      4. Section 21:  Application to court to alter constitution of internet domain registry

   4. Topic 4: Channel 4 Television Corporation

      1. Background

      2. Section 22: Functions of C4C in relation to media content

      3. Section 23: Monitoring and enforcing C4C’s media content duties

   5. Topic 5: Independent television services

      1. Background

      2. Section 24: Determination of Channel 3 licence areas

      3. Section 25: Initial expiry date for Channel 3 and 5 and public teletext licences

      4. Section 27: Report by OFCOM on public teletext service

      5. Section 28: Power to remove OFCOM’s duty to secure provision of public teletext service

      6. Section 29: Broadcasting of programmes in Gaelic

   6. Topic 6: Independent radio services

      1. Background

      2. Section 30: Digital switchover

      3. Section 31: Renewal of national radio licences

      4. Section 32: Renewal and variation of local radio licences

      5. Section 33: Variation of licence period following renewal

      6. Section 34: Content and character of local sound broadcasting services

      7. Section 35: Radio multiplex services: frequency and licensed area

      8. Section 36: Renewal of radio multiplex licences

   7. Topic 7: Regulation of television and radio services

      1. Section 37: Application of regulatory regimes to broadcasters

   8. Topic 8: Access to electromagnetic spectrum

      1. Background

      2. Section 38: Payment for licences

      3. Section 39: Enforcement of licence terms etc

   9. Topic 9: Video recordings

      1. Background

      2. Section 40: Classification of video games etc

      3. Section 41:  Designated authority for video games

      4. Schedule 1: Classification of video games etc – supplementary provision

   10. Topic 10: Copyright and performers’ property rights: penalties

       1. Section 42: Increase of penalties relating to infringing articles or illicit recordings

   11. Topic 11: Public lending right

       1. Background

       2. Section 43: Public lending right

   12. General sections

       1. Section 44: Power to make consequential provision etc.

       2. Section 45: Repeals

       3. Section 46: Extent

6. Commencement

7. Hansard References