Government to introduce internet bans for illegal downloaders

by Jacquie Bowser, Brand Republic 12-Feb-08, 09:00

LONDON - Internet users who illegally download music and films could lose their internet access under new legislation being drafted by the government.

The Department of Media, Culture and Sport is understood to be working on proposals to make ISPs, such as BT and Virgin Media, legally bound to take action against users who access pirated material. The proposals will be unveiled in the next few weeks.

Under the legislation, users suspected of illegally downloading content will first receive a warning email. If they commit the offence a second time they will receive a suspension from the service and any infringement following this will result in their internet contract being terminated.

ISPs that fail to enforce the rules could face prosecution and the details of suspected customers will be handed over to the courts.

A similar "three strike" system already operates in France and the US, and the government believes it could work successfully in the UK.

Ministers are to make a commitment to legislate with the unveiling of a Green Paper on the creative industries next week, according to a draft copy obtained by The Times.

The paper reads: "We will move to legislate to require internet service providers to take action on illegal file-sharing."

Six million broadband users reportedly illegally download content in the UK every year, costing music and film companies billions of pounds in lost revenue.

Comments

Samuel Hornsby - 12/02/2008

A ridiculous proposition, clearly drawn up by Industry chumps without the imagination to adapt their business models to meet the needs of the 21st Century consumer. Nor can this system respond to obvious practical flaws: un-secured wi-fi? If I (perhaps unknowingly) download three songs in 5 minutes without checking my email will I then find my contract terminated? The internet has done too much for the way we communicate, learn and enjoy the arts to be restricted by narrow/money minded pricks in this way.

Michael Carney - 13/02/2008

Criminalise six million voters? Smart move.

Gregory Allan - 13/02/2008

bah!!! the traditional view of copyright will be dead in ten years anyway. I prefer to buy my media than download it as I'm one of those wierd collector types and what happens if you download an album thats deleted ie cannot buy it anymore.