Illegal downloaders could be banned from the web
Tuesday 12 February 2008
A report in today's Times suggests that new action will soon be taken to punish persistent illegal downloaders. In the article it states that the government will be asking ISPs to seriously considering banning anyone from their service who they suspect of film and music piracy.
Taking action will involve a warning email being sent out to first-time offenders, a second download offence would cause temporary suspension of the internet connection and the third would result in a permanent suspension of an ISP contract. As a way to ensure that ISPs will take the new legislation seriously ISPs who failed to enforce the new rules would face prosecution.
Recently, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) both accused ISPs of giving subscribers the freedom to download music and films illegally without any risk of getting caught or suffering any consequences. However, PlusNet has expressed their concerns over possible new legislation to Web User magazine: "The technical and commercial implications of ISPs proactively tracking all downloads and blocking copyright material would be too much for any ISP to bear and would have an adverse effect of the industry as a whole. In addition to this, we have an obligation to our customers to protect their personal data."
Not all have been so wary though.
Tiscali has spoken in favour of the possible new ruling and others could follow suit. A Tiscali spokesperson commented: "We do not want illegal material travelling across our network and more than the music industry and we have worked with the BPI to suggest a three-strikes policy that is workable for us and them."
