broadband news

Broadband music pirates safe from disconnection

Broadband users who illegally download and share music files are now safe from disconnection, according to the Times.

Last year, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said the Government had "serious legislative intent" to make broadband providers responsible for acts of piracy. Under the 2008 proposed legislation broadband users could be disconnected for repeated acts of illegal file sharing. Broadband providers were vehemently opposed to this prospect.

But now, according to David Lammy, the Intellectual Property Minister, broadband providers can breathe a sigh of relief – the Government has reportedly ruled out this legislation.

This means users downloading and sharing video and music files over broadband can do so without worry of disconnection.

The sudden turnaround in governmental policy may be due to legal restrictions. As reported by the Times, Mr Lammy said there were complex legal issues surrounding enforced broadband disconnection. He said "I’m not sure it’s actually going to be possible."

There are currently seven million broadband users who illegally share music files each year. This has a profound impact on the profits of the British Record Industry, which supported the Government’s stance to place piracy responsibility with broadband providers.

Mr Lammy explains there are two ends of the spectrum when it comes to illegal broadband file sharing. He highlighted the difference between counterfeiting gangs and "younger people not quite buying into the system". He added: "We can’t have a system where we’re talking about arresting teenagers in their bedrooms."

27/01/2009
Author: CompareBroadbandUK staff writer

Next broadband news story

Broadband... a black hole of lost information?
- As broadband websites are deleted, historians could face a struggle as they attempt to piece together the past
29/01/2009

Read all our broadband news stories

Sign up to our broadband newsletterStay updated with our free broadband and mobile broadband newsletter.