[LINK] Internet cut-offs, website censorship about to drop on UK

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

Roger quotes,

> http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2010/04/internet-cut-offs-
website-censorship-about-to-drop-on-uk.ars
>
> The UK's current Labour government .. is intent on jamming the "Digital
> Economy" bill through Parliament in the next couple of days. According 
> to the government .. the UK's "creative industries" are bleeding,
> hemorrhaging red ink and jobs, so action must be taken. 


Apparently the bill has powerful U.S. friends, for example, Microsoft:

"33% of Brits think using pirated software is acceptable"

by Carrie-Ann Skinner, 8th April, 2010
 
<http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/342284/33_brits_think_using_pirat
ed_software_acceptable/>


A third of Brits think using pirated software either at home or work is 
acceptable, says Microsoft.

The tech giant's 'Attitudes to Piracy' survey revealed 12 percent of 
employees use pirated software at work. Furthermore 57 percent of these 
said they boss wouldn't have a problem with this.

Microsoft said the research was conducted to coincide with the Digital 
Economy Bill, which includes measures to tackle internet piracy.

Two thirds of Brits admitted they were more aware of the dangers related 
to illegally downloading music and movies then they were of those 
connected to illegally downloading software.

Furthermore, 62 percent of those that use pirated software said obtaining 
the program had lead to their PC being infected by a virus, while nearly 
a third (31 percent) said the software has caused a loss in personal data.

A further 38 percent said they had experience a computer crash after 
using illegally downloaded software.

"As people continue to spend more and more time online, we think it's 
important to ensure people understand the dangers associated with this 
type of activity so they can better protect themselves," said Microsoft's 
head of anti-piracy, Michala Wardell.

"Computers are now central to the way in which we interact, work and 
consume media, and we need to make sure our awareness and understanding 
of the dangers of downloading pirated products improves too."

--

Cheers,
Stephen