ISPA GIVES EVIDENCE TO TRADE AND INDUSTRY SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTERNET AND THE LAW

4 February, 1999

ISPA UK, the Internet Services Providers Association, called for a clearer legal framework for the Internet, this week when they were gave evidence to the Trade and Industry Select Committee Enquiry into electronic commerce.

The association called on the Government to clarify law enforcement regulations and improve the regulatory framework for leased line pricing. It also asked the Government to act to ensure that proposed amendments to the European draft copyright directive, that would effectively prevent temporary copying of information on the Internet in cache servers, are thrown out.

Tim Pearson, Chairman of, ISPA UK, this week told MPs on the Committee there was much concern amongst ISPs about their legal liability. He said; "The Government needs to clarify existing rules to ensure ISPs continue to offer Internet access and Internet services in the UK."

In its paper on e-commerce issues, produced for the enquiry, ISPA called for clearer legal protection for the privacy of e-mails and expressed concern about the key recovery and key escrow regime currently being considered by the UK Government.

ISPA highlighted the high cost of leasing telecommunications circuits in the UK and warned that electronic commerce would not thrive in the UK unless the UK telecoms regime addressed this issue. Tim Pearson, ISPA's Chairman told the MPs conducting an investigation on e-commerce the high cost of leased lines was: "a significant burden for all UK industry wishing to use the Internet for commerce."

Ends

Notes for Editors

1. The UK Internet Services Providers Association (ISPA UK) was set up in 1995 as a trade association to represent UK companies in the Internet sector. ISPA web-site: http://ww.ispa.org.uk

2. For other additional details please contact Nicholas Lansman on 0171 976 0679 or better still email: secretariat@ispa.org.uk

3. The Memorandum by the Internet Services Providers Association for the Electronic Commerce Enquiry is attached here. For further copies contact Secretariat.