Users face being cut off from the internet for downloading films and music illegally

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By DUNCAN ROBERTSON
Last updated at 13:27pm on 12th February 2008

People who illegally download films and music will be cut off from the internet under (UK) Government plans to tackle online piracy.

Internet service providers (ISPs), including BT and Virgin Media, will be legally required to take action against users who access illegal material.

Under draft proposals to be unveiled next week, users suspected of wrongfully downloading films or music will be first sent a warning email to stop.

For a second infringement, they will receive a suspension - and if caught a third time, their contract will be terminated.

Broadband companies who fail to enforce the "three-strikes" regime would be prosecuted and suspected customers' details could be made available to the courts.

A similar system already operates in France and the US, and the Government believes it could work successfully in the UK.

The Government has yet to decide if information on offenders should be shared between ISPs.

Six million broadband users are estimated to download files illegally every year in this country in a practice that music and film companies claim is costing billions of pounds in lost revenue annually.

Cut off: People who download music and films illegally could be cut off from their ISP.

These people commonly use a software programme called a torrent, which allows them to illegally share files with other users on the internet.

The torrent downloads tiny sections of a song or film file from several different sources making it difficult to trace.

Any legislation would not be aimed at prosecuting these individuals, but the internet providers who fail to stop their activity.

Britain's four biggest internet providers hope to avoid the legislation by reaching an agreement with the Government to self-regulate.

BT, Tiscali, Orange and Virgin Media have already been in talks with Hollywood studios and distributions companies for six months over a voluntary scheme.

A spokesman for the Internet Service Providers Association said: "Every right-thinking body knows that self-regulation is the much better option in these areas."

But ministers will make an explicit commitment to legislate with the launch next week of a Green Paper on the creative industries, entitled The World's Creative Hub.

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

A consultation paper setting out the ways to achieve this is promised within months.

If the results are satisfactory, the proposed legislation will be included in a White Paper to be put before Parliament.

A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport said: "Early drafts of our creative economy programme document were circulated to stakeholders for comment.

"The content and proposals for the strategy have been significantly developed since then and a comprehensive plan to bolster the UK's creative industries will be published shortly. We will not comment on the content of the leaked document."

The legislation will not target those who legally download music or films from licensed sites such as iTunes or Channel 4's 4oD.

The downloading and sharing of copyrighted material without permission is illegal.

Using this software, a person can download any film or song they want provided it has been publicly released.

Pirate software is becoming increasingly sophisticated, making it easier and quicker for it to be downloaded.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...=1766&ito=1490

and so these people have decided to target music downloaders, and yet won't do jack **** about child porn? or internet sites that encourages people to commit suicide for instance? what a bunch of hypocrites