The controversial Digital Economy Bill was passed by the House of Commons on Thursday.

The Bill, which gives authorities new powers to take action against users who download material illegally, has been accused of being rushed through the legislative process without enough critical debate.

According to BBC Newsbeat, opponents have slammed the Bill, calling it a “vague, scrambled together piece of bad legislation”.

But it’s not been condemned by everyone. UK Music boss Feargal Sharkey said in a BBC interview that the Bill will give the music industry some “breathing space”.

Sharkey has called for new, innovative music services to be developed to provide fans with more options as the measures against piracy are tightening.

According to Sharkey, the industry needs to get together as soon as possible to get things underway.

He said: “Personally I’m very happy to give people whatever music they want on whatever platform they want it.

“It’s going to take all of us – the music industry, the games industry, the film industry, the ISPs, the technology companies.

“It’s a challenge and I’m throwing down a gauntlet to all of us and I hope that really quickly we can now get down to business.”

Source: BBC, BBC Newsbeat, Guardian