Government wants power to disconnect file sharers

The Government has proposed new measures to clamp down on internet users who illegally share or download copyrighted material repeatedly, and warned that these might include cutting off the broadband connections of the most persistent offenders.

Under the proposals the Government would have the power to demand, via Ofcom, that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) take access against individual users. The actions proposed include reducing broadband speeds, blocking access to download sites and a temporarily suspending internet access.

It also warned it is "considering adding account suspension... as a last resort against the hardcore copyright pirates."

This is significantly different to the policy proposed in the Digital Britain report, which instead proposed a policy of writing to copyright offenders and making information on the number of such warnings available to copyright holders in possession of a court order.

However, ISPs sounded a note of caution. TalkTalk said it was "dismayed" by the announcement, adding that "barely two months after the publication of largely sensible and pragmatic measures to tackle the problem... Lord Mandelson has, it seems, caved in under pressure from powerful lobbyists in the content industry."

"Introducing measures such as disconnection at the instigation of the Secretary of State will sidestep proper scrutiny, likely breach fundamental human rights and result in innocent people being disconnected or, worse, prosecuted. What’s more, they will not work", it said.

A spokesperson for Virgin Media said: "we share the government's commitment to addressing the piracy problem and recognise that new laws have an important role to play in this. But persuasion not coercion is the key to changing consumer behaviour.

"We are also concerned that, as they stand, the government's funding proposals would increase costs... while doing little to encourage rights holders to use the regime in a proportionate way".

The Government's proposals are now open for consultation until the 29th September.