RSSPirates get to keep their ISP accounts...in the UK, anyway
By Jacqueline Emigh | Published January 26, 2009, 2:51 PM
It looks as though the UK won't cut off music pirates from the Internet after all, even though the global music industry is now promoting this form of punishment over fines and prison.
UK Culture Secretary Andy Burnham stated last year that the government had "serious legislative intent" to force ISPs to sever the Internet connections of music pirates. But in a recent interview with The Times of London, Intellectual Property Minister David Lammy said the UK government has now decided not to forge laws that would disconnect pirates.
Lammy voiced strong doubts that the UK would be able to untangle the complicated snarl of legal issues surrounding such a move. The Times conducted the interview with the IP minister prior to the release of a government report on digital industries, due out later this week.
The BPI, a group representing the British record industry, has been hankering for ISPs to sign up for a "three-steps policy" which would disconnect repeat offenders as a last resort.
Earlier this month, the IFPI -- a group representing the international music recording industry -- mentioned the UK initiative along with a new system proposed in France as examples of the type of "graduated response" approach the industry is currently promoting.
"Seven in ten (72 percent) of UK music consumers would stop illegally downloading if told to do so by their ISP (Entertainment Media Research, 2008). Seven in ten (74 percent) French consumers agree Internet account disconnection is a better approach than fines and criminal sanctions," according to a statement released by the IFPI in conjunction with its report.
In December, "the US recording industry announced it was working with the Attorney General of New York State and leading ISPs on anti-piracy initiatives," said IFPI President and Chief Executive John Kennedy, in his introduction to the report.
Also in its report, the IFPI claimed that 95% of all music downloads are "unauthorized" -- meaning that no payment is made to either artists or producers.
Yes,
Connecting to the two dozen unprotected wireless networks most people have access to will stop pirates. Remember to log on to your neighbors wireless network when downloading illegal files.
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|lol when they make a cd worth buying then they can b****
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|The more interesting aspect of The Times' article was the speculation on the possible funding of a "rights agency" which could be funded by "additional charges on customers' broadband bills to compensate the music industry".
That is preposterous. If that is even hinted at in the report there will be a massive outcry.
Link to the article
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|Well.. this sound pretty good!! NATIONALIZE the Media biz.
Take the money then NEVER sue anyone for piracy again.. but don't forget to give the software and game biz it's share also..
If anyone here is old enough to remember the Napster Hearings.. Senator Hatch and Leahy both told the RIAA lawyer they better make a deal with napster or have the gov limit or fix revenue.
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|The idea of adding a 'music' tax to broadband connections is great for all the people who download music illegally. But what about the people who're legit and only get music off itunes with their ipod for example.. or people who are deaf.. or people like myself who don't listen to music anyway.
I may just start a band and release some music just so i can get a share of this tax back, anyone up for some free money ? Then again, i'm sure it'll only be given back to the big fat cat companies anyway..
The music tax on a broadband connection can't be more then a pound or so other wise people will go mental about the cost of broadband (its already high priced in the UK). So, why not just sell a annual license (like we have for the TV) that makes you immune from being prosecuted for downloading any music you like. After all, this is what the rights agency would be. At least let it be optional..
In saying that, it does bring up another subject.. if that was to come into force, what happens to the people who've been sued for 1000's already. even at £5 a month, meaning £60 a year on top of their broadband connection, being fined for just £1000 would mean they've considered you downloading illegal music for over 16 years, a lot longer then the most people in the UK could even get internet on a dial up connection, never mind broadband speeds.
The rights agency plan is flawed.
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|Yes! everyone would need to start a band.. people would NO longer need to buy music because it would all be free to you!! like in the days of radio and tape recorders.. Wait we still can do that....
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|Plenty... provided you ignore all the crap that's pushed out by the major labels.
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|...and what percent of the music IS worth paying for?
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|100%, assuming you only pay for music you like (and actually *pay* for the music you like).
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