BT and TalkTalk Denied Appeal

British telecoms BT and TalkTalk have been refused permission to appeal against their failed legal challenge of the Digital Economy Act.

The major UK Internet providers were trying to overturn a high court judicial review of the legislation.

In the High Court June 20, Judge Richard Buxton refused their application, which effectively ends the two ISPs’ long-running battle against the act.

In the first half of 2012, the government will now be able to send warning letters to suspected illegal downloaders.

The ISPs argued that the part of the Digital Economy Act that permitted the government to do this infringed “the basic rights and freedoms” of Internet users.

They also said the DEA, which was rushed through in the final days of the previous government, didn’t get sufficient parliamentary scrutiny.

BT and TalkTalk also claimed that the act is broadly inconsistent with European law. They say the new legislation conflicts with European Union directives on technical standards, authorisation, e-commerce, as well as privacy and electronic communications.

Both companies are reportedly considering their position and what courses of action are left open to them.