It seems the government is listening to pleas from the likes of U2 manager Paul McGuinesssregarding punishing illegal downloaders. According to The Times, which obtained a draft copy of a consultation document soon to be published by the government, proposed legislation could force ISPs to take action against those downloading files illegally or face prosecution themselves.
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Illegal downloaders face UK internet ban
The World's Creative Hub paper, which will be launched by Culture Secretary Andy Burnham and Prime Minister Gordon Brown next week, recommends a 'three strikes' rule. A first offence would see illegal file sharers issued with a warning email. Further activity would result in suspension of service, while those caught committing the offence for a third time would face termination of their broadband contract.
ISPs that fail to enforce the legislation would face prosecution and the details of any users suspected of undertaking illegal activity would be given to the courts.
An estimated six million people a year illegally download files in the UK, which reportedly costs music and film companies billions every year. BT and Virgin Media are just two of the ISPs that have already voluntarily broached the problem with major Hollywood studios but issues such as "Wi-Fi piggybacking", in which file sharers access the internet through a paid-for wireless network that is not their own, and the speed at which warning emails will be sent ensured the discussions have not created a suitable solution.
With France, which already implements a similar legislation, and the US already prosecuting illegal downloaders, Britain is under pressure to follow suit.
A spokesman for the Internet Service Providers Association told the Times it remained hopeful that agreement over a voluntary agreement could be reached: "Every right-thinking body knows that self-regulation is much the better option in these areas."
Comments
A Concerned Citizen said: Excuse but is there really any open legit download software that doesnt require a subscription You know why people have chose illegal downloads iTunes is restricting Napster is crud not a wide selection for underground listeners CDs are 15
Beryl said: A pity they dont spend the time chasing paedophile downloaders I dont honestly see how the companies are losing anything In the good old days I used free downloads Buying the CD was decided by whether I liked the download or not The company lost nothing and often gained a sale I am not paying 79p to download a track I may or may not likeI can understand being banned by my ISP for downloading hard core pornography or paedophilia but apart from that which websites I visit is my business This is not supposed to be a Police State yet 6000 different organisations already have the right to tap my phone for spurious reasons and my mail and emails can be read by any of these people without my consent Now they propose to snoop into my Internet use as well George Orwells 1984 Itll be the Thought Police next Oh already got them The PC Brigade
Tam said: six million people would just have to unite together long enough to place a X in the ballot box voting against anyone who votes this in-imagine all the MPs who get kicked out sorry voted out no massive wages expenses freebies and the family they have working for them will have to go on the doleshameA MASSIVE internet campaign may do the trick-it would certainly cause a lot damage and result in a few MPs getting kicked out especially where there is a close voting countserve em right