Will government pass legislation to stop illegal file-sharing?
Zdnet reports that the UK government has warned the Internet Service Providers in the UK that it might pass legislation by next year to prevent illegal file sharing if the ISPs are not able to find a way to curb it.
However, the trade association of ISPs, ISPA (Internet Service Providers Association) has commented that such a move from the government could complicate affairs as the ISPs were just conduits of information so they do not have legal liability for content on their servers.
The voluntary agreement that the government expects from ISPs to prevent illegal file sharing might be too ambitious, in the words of Malcolm Wicks, the Enterprise and regulatory reform minister.
He further said:
“It would be very disappointing if we have to legislate — but nobody should doubt our willingness to do so if an agreement cannot be reached.”
Meanwhile ISPA commented on this issue:
“It is ISPA’s preference to agree a non-legislative solution which carefully considers the complex legal framework – as recognised by the Culture Secretary – in which ISPs operate. This includes the Electronic Commerce Directive Regulations 2002 and the Data Protection Act 1998 which can limit what action ISPs can lawfully take against users’ private communications.”
Earlier, BPI suggested three strikes method to prevent illegal downloading, which was rejected by most ISPs. However, the cable broadband provider, Virgin Media, in association with BPI, has voluntarily started to send letters to its customers who are found to be downloading illegal music or video.
