Tiga commented today on the draft Digital Bill, one of a number of measures published in the Government’s Draft Legislative Programme for 2009-10.
The draft Digital Bill provides for:
1. The promotion of broadband in the UK
2. An increase in Ofcom’s responsibilities. Ofcom will be required not merely to foster competition but also to promote investment in infrastructure and in content, carry out a bi-annual review of the UK’s communications infrastructure and receive a new duty to combat illegal file sharing
3. New duties on ISPs to tackle illegal file sharing
4. Adoption of a new and stronger classification system for video games
Richard Wilson, CEO of Tiga, said:
“Encouraging the development of and access to broadband in the UK is important for the economy in general and for the games industry, especially as games will increasingly be accessed online. However, broadband should be encouraged without imposing a tax on consumers to pay for this objective.
“Requiring Ofcom to review the UK’s communications infrastructure is sensible. Having said this, requiring Ofcom both to promote competition and investment could cause difficulties for the organisation and potentially creates conflicting roles. It would be preferable for Ofcom to focus on encouraging competition. Ofcom will also have a duty to reduce illegal file sharing. Piracy is an important issue for the games industry and for game developers so we will look forward to examining the Bill’s recommendations in further detail.
“The Government’s announcement in the Digital Britain Report that it would support the PEGI classification system was welcomed by the UK games industry. We look forward to commenting in further detail on the provisions in the Bill to enact the new classification system for video games.
“Separately, Tiga will continue to provide the data and evidence that the Government requests to make an effective and compelling case for a tax break for games production. We hope that the Government, having reviewed the evidence, will make a commitment to introduce this tax break in the Pre-Budget Report in November 2009.””
To see the Government’s press release on the Draft Digital Bill see: http://www.commonsleader.gov.uk/output/Page2830.asp
Notes to editors:
1. Tiga is the trade association representing the UK’s games industry. We have 150 members, the majority of whom are either independent games developers or in-house publisher owned developers. We also have outsourcing companies, technology businesses and universities amongst our membership.
2. Tiga’s vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business. We focus on three sets of activities: political representation, generating media coverage and developing services that enhance the competitiveness of our members. This means that Tiga members are effectively represented in the corridors of power, their voice is heard in the media and they receive benefits that make a material difference to their businesses, including a reduction in costs and improved commercial opportunities.