New anti-piracy laws to crack down internet file sharing

Seven million internet users in UK who illegally download movie, music and other files could land themselves in deep trouble if they do not stop such activities. The bad news is new laws to punish the file sharers are in the pipe line. If caught with proof, the offenders will be suspended of their internet services as well as face fines of up to £50,000. The new laws will not even spare the parents of the young illegal file sharers. If children are caught for illegal file sharing, parents would pay for it. Their broadband service will be cut off.

Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, has been drawing up these new regulations to be included in the Digital Britian bill which is expected to be passed in parliament next month. Nobody knows whether David Geffen, a prominent figure in the US film and music industry, who recently had dinner with Lord Mandelson had an influence on the business secretary. However, Mendelson’s spokesman denied that file sharing was discussed during the meeting, according to the report from dailymail.co.uk.

Meanwhile, Tom Watson, former digital engagement minister and a campaigner against new anti-piracy regulations raised the question of why the regulations target only the downloaders, but leave the uploaders intact. The Independent reports Tom Watson as saying:

“Working on the safe assumptions that (a) people like downloading music from the internet, and (b) most people would prefer not to break the law, we should aim to map a way forward for businesses to take financial advantage of the digital market.”

It will be interesting to watch how the ISPs would respond, if the new regulations become a law. Karoo, the broadband internet provider in Hull, for instance, said that the ISP would not take legal action against a suspected file sharer without a court order. Will the new laws put the UK broadband providers in a sort of dilemma?