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UK ISPs Could Face File Sharing Sanctions
The British government has released an industry strategies paper titled “Creative Britain: New Talents for the New Economy”. One of the more interesting points in the broad-ranging policy paper is the concept that Internet Service Providers must take concrete steps to prevent or limit illegal downloads or face legal sanctions.
It is not clear how this policy would be implemented. Andy Burnham, Britain’s Culture Secretary, says that the government has no “burning desire” to legislate on the issue. That being said, the policy paper commits the government to consulting on anti-piracy legislation in the Spring of 2008, with a view to implementing it in 2009.
Not surprisingly, the UK recording industry (which blames file sharing for the slump in music sales) welcomes the proposal, while the ISP association is more leery and urges that ISPs continue working towards effective self-regulation.
If this proposal goes ahead, the UK will be one of the first jurisdictions in the world to hold ISPs accountable for illegal downloading activities.
For additional information, visit:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7258437.stm