In case you missed it in the course of a sunny, sport-rich summer (as this blogger did), here's the
ipsissima verba of clause 26 of the United Kingdom's
Deregulation Bill 2013 which was published in July.
26 Repeal of power to make provision for blocking injunctions
In the Digital Economy Act 2010, omit sections 17 and 18 (which confer power
on the Secretary of State to make regulations about the granting by courts of
injunctions requiring the blocking of websites that infringe copyright).
But don't think that this provision has anything to do with the British government's attitude towards copyright; it's all about something quite different -- public money. One of the functions of this Bill, outlined in the Foreword, is this:
"Publication of the draft Bill is the latest step in the Government’s ongoing drive to remove unnecessary bureaucracy that costs British businesses millions, slows down public services like schools and hospitals, and hinders millions of individuals in their daily lives".
