Press release archive for April 2010

This statement can be downloaded here.

The British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the organisation that represents the record industry, has recently released a summary of their 2009 sales, showing growth of 1.4% over the year - a performance that was 2.2% stronger than the rest of the economy - and these figures do not include live shows or performance royalties. The Pirate Party is pleased to see this increase and hopes it prompts further innovation and encourages record labels to invest more in young, local talent, rather than relying on their back catalogues protected by ever-increasing copyright terms.

This statement can be downloaded here.

The Pirate Party UK is pleased to announce that nine candidates have now been officially nominated for the General Election on 6th May. These candidates have been selected by the members - and ratified by the Party - to represent it in its first election campaign, to promote the policies and ideals of the party, and to help raise the concerns of citizens worried about their digital rights. The candidates selected cover a broad swath of constituencies across England and Scotland.

This statement can be downloaded here.

Parliamentary candidates from the Pirate Party UK have accused Labour and the Conservatives of being "hypocrites" after both parties repeatedly infringed on the copyright of others during their election campaigns.

Shortly before parliament was dissolved, both parties colluded to force through the Digital Economy Act 2010. The act was widely criticised for its extreme punishments for those who have merely been accused of copyright infringement. It was opposed by MPs from all corners of Parliament, consumer groups, industry groups, artists and academics. Under the act, people who are wrongly accused of infringing copyright - a common occurrence even now - could have their Internet connection cut-off for an unspecified period of time...

This statement can be downloaded here.

Today marks a sombre day for Britain's digital future as Members of Parliament appeared from the woodwork to force through fatally flawed and disturbingly draconian piece of legislation, despite wide-ranging objections from all corners of the chamber both over the content of the Bill and the manner in which it was passed.

The majority of MPs were reportedly under a deeply inappropriate three-line whip - meaning any revolt held the most severe punishments - effectively forcing a vote in favour despite it being one of the most contentious bills of recent years. Fewer than 50 MPs defied the front benches to vote against the bill.

Members of the Pirate Party joined thousands of people from around the world in watching and commenting on the debate and were left profoundly disappointed, although unsurprised, with the outcome...

This afternoon saw the second reading debate of the highly-controversial Digital Economy Bill in the House of Commons. This was the first opportunity for our current elected officials to have their say and yet took place within hours of the government announcing the general election.The wash-up process, which gives extremely limited time for scrutiny and debate, is supposed to be used solely for non-contentious legislation. The Digital Economy Bill, with over 20,000 letters sent to MPs, over 35,000 signatures to a petition against it, ISP campaigns against it, business coalitions opposing the Bill, and government back-benchers opposing the provisions in the Bill, is not non-contentious. Fiona Mactaggart, Labour MP, describes the parliament as "utterly feeble in so many ways", including the assignment of just two hours for committee, report, and third reading and failing to properly scrutinise the Bill. The two hours left for the Commons to ...