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Internet users to be banned over illegal downloads

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In a new proposal broadband providers could be forced to ban people from the internet if they are caught downloading pirated files. It is being reported that a "three strikes" scheme could be implemented, which would see users being sent a warning email when they are first suspected of downloading illegal content, then a suspension for the second offence, and finally a ban for a third offence. Broadband suppliers who do not comply with the new legislation could be prosecuted and their users identities handed over to the courts.

The proposed legislation opens up many questions about how this is all to be monitored, what if someone accesses your wifi illegally and who will monitor internet usage to catch the illegal downloaders? These are points which have been debated for the last two years, but as yet there is no specific answer. A spokesman for the Internet Service Providers Association said it remained hopeful that agreement over a voluntary agreement could be reached:

“Every right-thinking body knows that self-regulation is much the better option in these areas.”
phillyharper

10 responses // Internet users to be banned over illegal downloads

  • I don't think it should fall to the ISPs, surely a newly formed and, more importantly, independent committee would be a more viable option?
    mattbrawn
  • Film and TV need to embrace the new(ish!) technology and stop fighting against it. If there are 6 million people in the UK illegally downloading films and tv shows, are they going to criminalize or ban them all?

    Companies should be adapting, not asking for enforcement.

    People want change in the way media is distributed, Current being an excellent example.

    That's my name on some list now, probably!
    DavidNewbigging
  • this is a 4th admendment violation. we shall have to enforce the constitution if we are ever persecuted.
    Thargor19
  • Bring it on. I buy my music so I've got nothing to worry about...do you guys?
    Filmpunk
  • What will they do about public WIFI at coffee shops, bookstores etc.? And what about private WIFI that is available to several people, like colleges or buisnesses?
    wontonjon89
  • this won't happen...they don't have a way of regulating it. It's just another sad attempt.

    To DavidNew,
    I completely agree...networks and record labels need to provide easy and legit ways of getting their content (that means not DRMed). iTunes is a great example, in terms of ease, but it's DRMed. It doesn't bother me if I'm on my iPod, but if I want it on my XBox, it yells at me. So, I go to Bittorrent options...because they're easy and they work.

    It's not about paying for it...it's about having easy access to it without headaches
    image0434
  • Sure, prosecute Americans and all the rest of the world can do it and get away with it.

    Gee, can we think of any more ways to bend over backwards and kiss the hairy arse of corporate interests at the expense of Americans?

    It's not enough corporations make obscene profits off Americans while selling the same to China and other nations significantly cheaper, they'll resort to aiding to the expense of their exploitation of Americans pocket books, now we could be further burdened with the expense of prosecuting those who download poor quality music and video?

    To President Obama to be: I do not want my tax dollars to be spent for the protection of corporate profits by prosecuting my fellow Americans. Corporations: Kiss off!

    And to my fellow Americans who may download, MP3's sound like crap. They should give that quality level away for free like it was a demo version.
    VoyagerFilms
  • Industries need to figure into their calculations that people discover new music and new artists, that they later purchase, from first downloading music from peer-to-peer sites. How many times have you discovered something new that you never would have listened to if you hadn't tried it for free? Then you go buy the album off iTunes because it's better quality, or you buy the CD because you want the hard copy. It's like free publicity for music. Besides, the ones who are really hurting from all this illegal downloading aren't the little musicians but the big corporations and industrial greedy-goos. Musicians benefit from having lots and lots of exposure to their music. Just look at Radiohead. Free is good.
    Julie_Soller
  • I'd suggest that our tax dollars get spent to go after those corporations who bootleg their own stuff; that set up off-shore & out of country businesses to evade US taxation, that falsify expenses to shelter income and that hold monopolistic control of the industry.
    VoyagerFilms
  • kiss off? like kiss off slappy? mst3k?
    Thargor19

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