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October 28, 2009

Illegal file-sharers to be cut off in 2011

Three-strikes rule to come into force

Carrie-Ann Skinner

Illegal file-sharers could be booted off the internet by summer 2011, says Lord Mandelson.

The Business Secretary, who has been charged with ironing out the UK's plans to tackle internet piracy, revealed that disconnecting repeat offenders will be a last resort.

Mandelson told the government's Digital Creative Industries Conference that the "consequence-free" days of illegal file-sharing are over, and that a "legislate and enforce" strategy had been identified as the best way to tackle the problem.

"Three strikes is a reasonable way of describing our approach," he said.

The legislation, which will see those caught illegally downloading sent warning letters, will be officially set out in the Digital Economy Bill that is expected next month and will come into force in April 2010.

"Technical measures will be a last resort and I have no expectation of mass suspensions resulting."

Repeat offenders will be issued with a second letter. If this fails to stop them illegally downloading, they will be put on a "serious infringers list", with ISPs expected to "exercise technical measures".

Mandelson also said that Ofcom will monitor the success of the warning letters in the first year and if illegal file-sharing has not reduced by 70 percent then suspending net connections will be brought into force.

"The threat for persistent individuals is, and has to be, real, or no effective deterrent to breaking the law will be in place," he added.

Mandelson also said a "proper route of appeal" would be available for those suspended from the web. Once notified of possible suspension, offenders will be given 20 working days to appeal to an independent body, although Ofcom has yet to appoint the body. Mandelson said the suspension would not come into force until the appeal has been heard.

He also said ISPs and rights-holders will "share the costs, on the basis of a flat fee that will allow both sides to budget and plan".

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See also: 75% of Brits against cutting off illegal downloaders

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Comments received


David Staples said on Thursday, 29 October 2009

For fraudster Lord Mandy (or pretty much any MP) to claim the moral high ground over "theft" is laughable.

Still, he's done what his master's wanted, so he'll be laughing all the way to the bank.

richard said on Thursday, 29 October 2009

a "legislate and enforce" strategy had been identified as the best way to tackle the problem.

Always legislating and enforcing. ugh.

pirvey said on Thursday, 29 October 2009

"Lord Mandy" ain't an MP. Clue's in the name.

Boghound said on Thursday, 29 October 2009

Perhaps people should realise that Mandleson is an unelected member of the Cabinet and made a mess of the last job he held in the "deep trough" of the EU gravy train. He is another member of the Blair clique that courts publicity as his life depends on it.

It never ceases to amaze that the music industry keeps rolling out the same "tripe" about copyright etc as they were doing in the 60's when people use to record off the radio onto to 7" tape spools, then it was the turn of the humble cassette, then the CD but hang on a mo isn't the music industry flourishing and more "artists" are being heard then ever before!

Wasn't it Blair's holiday landlord Cliff Richard who persuaded the Government to extend the music copyright law so the "Artists" of the 60's could still afford the life styles that they have become accustomed to....No mention of paying the way for young talent there!!!!!!

Thank God I come from an age of free-speech and people weren't so "two-faced".

Stephen said on Thursday, 29 October 2009

What about legal file-sharers? Users of dimeadozen only torrent music and video that has NEVER been officially released.

MarkyBhoy said on Friday, 30 October 2009

So glad we live in such a great democracy. Mandelson isn't even elected and yet is making major decisions in government.

What a fantastic country when you are guilty before going to court. Anyone who is threatened with disconnection should go to court under human rights and all computer users who feel it is not correct ... should get together and demonstrate.

Problem: no-one is willing to stand up for their rights and stand with others against unelected strange perverted men.

marie said on Friday, 30 October 2009

The nanny state may think or believe they can legislate to stop this, but only the innocent will be cut of and suffer. The pro's know how to avoid detection and will continue to do so.

jon said on Friday, 30 October 2009

Big business & big brother, hand in hand. The Orwellian nightmare continues with a twist. The creeping erosion of civil liberties and insidious law-making without parliamentary debate is the biggest danger to this country. Why, as a libertarian country, are we sleep-walking into this ? Are we apathetic about our civil rights in the UK, or are we just ignorant sheep?

swarfendor437 said on Saturday, 31 October 2009

It could also be that Mandy has received a kick-back from Microsoft as Windows 7 (or has he been dining on other off-shore yachts?) isn't making inroads against the free GNU/Linux distributions that utilise torrents for distribution for lack of server space!

adfather said on Saturday, 31 October 2009

Nonesense. the onus should be on the industries to protect themselves not on the public. The internet is an open source facility... if the industries do not protect their products/artists they should be in the dock.

adfather said on Saturday, 31 October 2009

I cannot discuss lord Mandy as he really is or should be irrelevant.

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