Dear [MP's name], 

I have followed the progress of the Digital Economy Bill with growing alarm.
The measures outlined in the bill are excessive, unnecessary, and prone to
abuse. Many organisations and experts (including Google, BT, and the British
Library) have expressed grave concern, yet the government seems intent on using
the wash-up period to rush the bill into law. I urge you to push for a proper
debate on this bill, and to vote against it when it is put to the house. 

As a computer scientist working for a respected music website, I am worried
both personally and professionally. The bill allows for people's internet
connections to be disconnected without oversight, running the risk of
disrupting their personal lives and their business. Shared internet connections
are most at risk, removing internet access from public places such as
libraries, cafés, and hotels. The appeals process is vague and contains no
defence of "best effort" at preventing infringements, leaving the bill open to
abuse by big business. It is worth noting that the EU is currently debating
whether broadband access is a human right, and many commentators believe the
bill to be incompatible with existing EU and UK legislation. 

The most bizarre thing is that the bill itself is unnecessary. UK law already
contains offences regarding copyright infringement, harassment, and obscene
communication. Content holders can prosecute offenders in the courts, giving
people the right to defend themselves in a fair system. This bill removes that
right. Overall, the bill seems to be a contemporary hysteria akin to the
worries in the 80s that the VCR would be the death of the film industry. Quite
the opposite occurred; over the past 30 years it has flourished. Business
environments thrive in freedom. Creative industries are right to be concerned
about unauthorised use of their products, but the Digital Economy Bill is not
the answer. 


I understand that few people completely understand cutting-edge technology, and
would be happy to answer any technical questions you have regarding this or any
other bill. 


Yours sincerely,