A "decisive step" towards tackling the problem of unauthorised file-sharing on the internet, or a "fatally flawed and disturbingly draconian piece of legislation" heralding a "sombre day for Britain's digital future"? On 8 April 2010, during the ‘wash up' phase of Parliament preceding the UK general election, the Digital Economy Act 2010 was passed, prompting a spectrum of emotive reactions, including these comments from the recording industry body IFPI [1] and the UK arm of the Pirate Party, [2] respectively. This article explores the new law behind the rhetoric.