House of Commons passes Digital Economy Bill

Bill just needs approval from Lords and Royal Assent to pass

House of Lords and Royal Assent all that remains for Digital Economy Bill

The controversial Digital Economy Bill was pushed through the Commons last night, where MPs read it for the third time.

It was passed by 189 votes to 47, despite protests from MPs on all sides of the House.

With last-minute support from the Tories, the government succeeded in getting the bill through its third reading, even against opposition from the Liberal Democrats and some Labour MPs.

The bill was forced through after a two-hour debate just after midnight, and now goes back to the House of Lords for final approval. If passed by the upper chamber the bill will need Royal Assent before it becomes law.

Online copyright infringers using peer-to-peer sites could be blocked if the bill becomes law, but the part of Clause 18 enabling stricter new powers to block pirates, was dropped with weaker powers tacked into clause 8.

These powers allow the Secretary of State for Business to "injunct locations on the internet which the court is satisfied has been, is being or is likely to be used for or in connection with an activity that infringes copyright".