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OfCom to start three-strikes code discussions this week
By CMU Editorial | Published on Wednesday 14 April 2010
Media regulator OfCom will reportedly meet with rights holders, ISPs and other stakeholders tomorrow to begin work on the ‘code of conduct’ that will help make the three-strikes system set out in the Digital Economy Act a reality.
That’s actually quite a bit sooner than originally expected, we thought everything might now be on hold until after the General Election. That said, given the Tories helped make the Digital Economy Act law, unless there is a hung parliament empowering the Liberal Democrats after next month’s big vote, it can be assumed plans to get the three-strikes system up and running asap will be embraced by whoever forms the next government.
This week’s meeting will be very much a preliminary affair, with proper discussions on the code to due begin next month, with the hope some sort of draft code can be published in September. It remains to be seen how the internet service providers respond to the consultation. Some, Talk Talk in particular, are still set on opposing and hindering the three-strikes proposals in any way they can.
OfCom have confirmed any code will have to be run by the European Commission, meaning it is unlikely any warning letters will actually be sent out under the three-strikes system until early 2011, meaning net suspensions may not be properly on the agenda until 2012.