Hotels raise concerns over Digital Economy Bill

Hotels have spoken out against the Digital Economy Bill, which, if passed, will see internet activity vetted more closely.

Under the Digital Economy Bill, currently being discussed in the House of Lords, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will have to issue reports on any copyright infringements and detail the type and time of internet contact. The proposal forms the latest move against illegal downloading in the UK.

However, hotel owners believe that the current Bill fails to adequately take their sector into account. Although ISPs would be responsible for reporting any illegal activity, hotels would still be required to provide information about offending guests and hand them copyright reports – something which the British Hospitality Association (BHA) has suggested is unrealistic.

Martin Couchman, deputy chief executive of the BHA, commented:

"If it is passed in its present form, the difficulties of applying this Bill to the hospitality industry, with its transient user profile, appear not to have been considered. We are making representations to Government to highlight our concerns."

The BHA said that hotels would have difficulty identifying guests accessing the internet over a wireless network, especially those using pre-paid cards. It added that hotels would have no way of knowing which users had been penalised in the past. It is thought that pub, cafes and restaurants offering public internet access could encounter similar issues if the Bill is to come into effect.