DIGITAL RIGHTS "UNFAIR" SAYS NCC

The National Consumer Council, who were looking out for British citizen's rights when computers were still using reels of tape, has condemned anti-piracy efforts as eroding people's traditional rights in a submission to a parliamentary inquiry:

In its statement to the inquiry it said the digital locks put on content were "constraining the legitimate consumer use of digital content".

Also being undermined were rights established by consumer protection and data protection laws, it said.

"Consumers face security risks to their equipment, limitations on their use of products, poor information when purchasing products and unfair contract terms," said Jill Johnstone, the NCC's director of policy.

She added that the group had little faith that self-regulation by media makers would protect consumer rights.

The NCC, of course, has less cash to lobby than the music and movie industries do; and they'll have to hope that the importance of our rights will outweigh the inevitable industry claims of how anti-piracy measures protects markets, GNP and jobs.

Still, it's not likely that the Blair government would side with big businesses over individual historic rights, is it?
[Thanks to Anthony T for the link]

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