The UK government is considering harsher measures against illegal file sharers than were previously floated in the Digital Britain report - a move that could hurt game content pirates.
A statement from the government said that the amendment to Digital Britain would give Ofcom greater powers against pirates. The Department for Business Innovation and Skills has said that "The Government is also considering adding account suspension to the list of technical measures that could be used only as a last resort against the hard core of copyright pirates."
Also involved would be an obligation placed on Internet Service Providers to take action against repeat infringers. Less stringent measures than outright cut-off mentioned include, "blocking access to download sites, reducing broadband speeds, or by temporarily suspending the individual’s Internet account."
Under the original proposals there would have been no new measures before 2012. According to the government, the new proposals could see action taken earlier.
The news has not been taken well by the Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA). The organisation said in a statement that it was "disappointed by the proposal to force ISPs to suspend users' accounts.
"ISPA and consumer groups consider disconnection of users to be a disproportionate response, a view that was recently supported by the European Parliament".
Minister for Digital Britain, Stephen Timms, said, “We’ve been listening carefully to responses to the consultation this far, and it’s become clear there are widespread concerns that the plans as they stand could delay action, impacting unfairly upon rights holders."
A statement from the government said that the amendment to Digital Britain would give Ofcom greater powers against pirates. The Department for Business Innovation and Skills has said that "The Government is also considering adding account suspension to the list of technical measures that could be used only as a last resort against the hard core of copyright pirates."
Also involved would be an obligation placed on Internet Service Providers to take action against repeat infringers. Less stringent measures than outright cut-off mentioned include, "blocking access to download sites, reducing broadband speeds, or by temporarily suspending the individual’s Internet account."
Under the original proposals there would have been no new measures before 2012. According to the government, the new proposals could see action taken earlier.
The news has not been taken well by the Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA). The organisation said in a statement that it was "disappointed by the proposal to force ISPs to suspend users' accounts.
"ISPA and consumer groups consider disconnection of users to be a disproportionate response, a view that was recently supported by the European Parliament".
Minister for Digital Britain, Stephen Timms, said, “We’ve been listening carefully to responses to the consultation this far, and it’s become clear there are widespread concerns that the plans as they stand could delay action, impacting unfairly upon rights holders."
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Comments
YenRug 25 Aug 2009 13:02
1/2
Odd how this has cropped up a week, or so, after Mandelson had dinner with a movie industry bod in Corfu, it's almost like he's got a personal interest in it for some reason...
Joji 25 Aug 2009 15:00
2/2
Harsher, faster measures? Sounds like a recipe for miscarriages of justice. I'm not surprised ISPs are frustrated, especially when there's a recession on, throwing away business because someone downloaded something is just far too draconian.
Seems the media moguls still haven't learned that penalizing people does little. By suing one person or cuting one person off, creates bad press, and in a Twitter age, word spreads fast amongst the people. They could cut someone off on Monday, and by Sunday their share price and user uptake has dropped. How do you grow a business in these conditions?
Love how our goverment are so easily led, all the time. If they aren't america's bitch, its someone elses.
Seems the media moguls still haven't learned that penalizing people does little. By suing one person or cuting one person off, creates bad press, and in a Twitter age, word spreads fast amongst the people. They could cut someone off on Monday, and by Sunday their share price and user uptake has dropped. How do you grow a business in these conditions?
Love how our goverment are so easily led, all the time. If they aren't america's bitch, its someone elses.
