Internet service providers (ISPs) have said that cutting the internet connections of persistent file sharers would be a “disproportionate” response to the problem.

The trade body for ISPs, the Internet Services Providers’ Association (ISPA UK) said it was “ disappointed that the creative industries continue to advocate legislation”.

It also expressed frustration that copyright holders are not taking into account the ongoing difficulties in setting up licensing deals that would offer consumers legal alternatives to illegal file sharing.

The ISPA was reacting to calls to introduce a three-strikes law, which would see the internet connections of repeat offenders either cut off or slowed down, which was made by a coalition of UK creative industries including the British Photographic Industry (BPI) at a conference held today.

“The statement rightly calls for a Government policy that 'must ensure that the future of broadband in the UK will be the safe and secure delivery of legal content'. Internet companies remain extremely frustrated.

"It is our view that legislation on enforcement should only be introduced on the condition that the rights holder industry commits to significant licensing reform.

“ISPA members have consistently explained that significant technological advances would be required if these measures are to reach a standard where they would be admissible as evidence in court. ISPs and consumer groups consider disconnection of users to be a disproportionate response."

This is also a view that was recently supported by the European Parliament under amendment 138/46 which was introduced last month into the Telecoms package.