The doctrine of authorisation of copyright infringement and its influence on the terms and effect of the Digital Economy Act 2010

Abstract

The doctrine of authorisation of copyright infringement is a well-established principle in copyright law. However, the courts have not been unanimous about its scope. This uncertainty led into enacting a highly contentious piece of legislation, the Digital Economy Act 2010, in the UK. This article examines the development of the doctrine of authorisation and assesses the circumstances in which the legislation was passed. This article also gives an overview of this controversial piece of legislation, including its origins and development and whether the legislation is effective to achieve its aims.