The UK’s Digital Economy Bill (DEB) may have a negative effect on establishments that offer open Wi-Fi access to users. Libraries, Universities, Cafes and other small businesses will not be exempt from anti-piracy policies in the Digital Economy Bill, meaning that a small business offering WiFi might be warned and held responsible for copyright infringement of somebody using their WiFi access.
Lilian Edwards, professor of internet law at Sheffield University, said that the scenario as described by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) would effectively “outlaw open Wi-Fi for small businesses,” while leaving the likes of Universities and public Libraries in an uncertain position.

“This is going to be a very unfortunate measure for small businesses, particularly in a recession, many of whom are using open free Wi-Fi very effectively as a way to get the punters in,” Edwards said. “Even if they password protect, they then have two options — to pay someone like The Cloud to manage it for them, or take responsibility themselves for becoming an ISP effectively, and keep records for everyone they assign connections to, which is an impossible burden for a small cafe.”

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Manufacturing remains a key UK investment sector with companies such as Bombardier, Rolls Royce and Toyota at Derby, boots Pharmaceuticals and imperial Tobacco in Nottingham. Other companies like Siemens, are located in Lincoln. The East Midlands textile industry has been affected by cheap foreign imports and high interest rates. This saw some companies like Richard Roberts in Leicester close shop. Others that could not stand the competition relocated e.g. Speedo went to Asia. The regions development agency is the strategic driver that drives its sustainable economic development in partnership with the public, private and the Voluntary organizations. A long history of partnership with other European countries makes up for about 52 per cent of its exports.

Total earnings from export to the European Nations stands at £5.7 billion annually. Annual job creations is at 292, 000. Investments opportunities in East Midlands can be done in the various cities that don its landscape. The Nottingham city attracts investments in the Properties, science and technology, biomedical and environmental technology. Research by its universities has been behind some futuristic technological advancement. The city is undergoing a series of development programs. About 3.5 billion pounds is invested around the city ranging from infrastructure, public and private investments, transport and environment. The East Midlands has retained its attractiveness for UK investment with the development of quality and innovative business. The regions ambitious development programs, like the Science Park in Nottingham, continue to inspire investors making the region a desirable location for investments.

There are 110,000 estimated number of businesses in this region. The regions economy contributes about 2% gross value in Agriculture. The two Enterprise zones located in Corby and Welling borough provide financial benefits to new and existing business within the zones. Other than that, there are exemptions from some rate taxes and easy process for planning investments. Economic projections predict that by the year 2020, the region will be a flourishing economic hub with sustainable economic prosperity and a higher quality of life incomparable to any other European country’s and like the best in the world. The economy of this region has been affected so little by the global economic downturn.