The Digital Economy Bill has passed its third reading in the House of Lords, and John Lovelock Chief Executive of FAST, voice of the British software industry, urges MPs, many on their final hurrah, not to unreasonably delay the introduction of this important legislation.

"The software industry and other copyright holders in the wider creative industry welcome the attention that is being focused on copyright issues in this digital age. We urge clear action against copyright infringers using the Bill's provisions after Royal Assent.

"Delaying the legislation unnecessarily in the Commons will not help. The Bill has had scrutiny in the Lords to excess. FAST has lobbied for intellectual property legislation since its inception in 1984."

The Bill, which includes the 'three strikes rule' giving the Government powers to suspend illegal file-sharers' Internet connections, has FAST's support. The now replaced Clause 17 had initially proposed to allow the secretary of state the power to update copyright law, which in principle was far sighted to combat as yet unknown future methods of piracy.

"Whilst campaigners have rightly pointed out that we shouldn't allow politicians the power to meddle unrestrained with our copyright regime, let us be clear, there are checks and balances in place being eminently sensible given the rapid pace in digital technology and the difficulties in protecting intellectual property," concluded Lovelock.