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Net firms reject 'policing role' Net firms reject 'policing role'
(40 minutes later)
Internet service providers (ISPs) have rejected calls for them to police the net and cut off users who repeatedly file-share material unlawfully.Internet service providers (ISPs) have rejected calls for them to police the net and cut off users who repeatedly file-share material unlawfully.
The umbrella group that represents ISPs said disconnecting users would be a "disproportionate response".The umbrella group that represents ISPs said disconnecting users would be a "disproportionate response".
A coalition of UK creative industries wants the online connections of repeat offenders to be slowed or stopped.A coalition of UK creative industries wants the online connections of repeat offenders to be slowed or stopped.
The government has said it is looking at "penalties" for illegal file-sharers in its Digital Britain report.The government has said it is looking at "penalties" for illegal file-sharers in its Digital Britain report.
In a statement, the Internet Service Providers Association (Ispa) said it disputed "calls from some elements of the creative industries for the disconnection of users or technological measures as a method of dealing with potential infringers of copyright online".In a statement, the Internet Service Providers Association (Ispa) said it disputed "calls from some elements of the creative industries for the disconnection of users or technological measures as a method of dealing with potential infringers of copyright online".
A graduated response which leads to pain for persistent piracy is the only viable option John Woodward, UK Film CouncilA graduated response which leads to pain for persistent piracy is the only viable option John Woodward, UK Film Council
It added: "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.It added: "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, a view that was recently supported by the European Parliament.""ISPs and consumer groups consider disconnection of users to be a disproportionate response, a view that was recently supported by the European Parliament."
Force ISPsForce ISPs
The coalition of music, film and TV and publishers, as well as entertainment trade unions, have issued a joint statement, in which it calls on the government to force ISPs into taking action against file-sharers.The coalition of music, film and TV and publishers, as well as entertainment trade unions, have issued a joint statement, in which it calls on the government to force ISPs into taking action against file-sharers.
Without question, piracy threatens jobs, but have the creative industries been a bit loose with their maths and language in order to strike an emotive point? Darren Waters' blog Q&A: Disconnecting file-sharersWithout question, piracy threatens jobs, but have the creative industries been a bit loose with their maths and language in order to strike an emotive point? Darren Waters' blog Q&A: Disconnecting file-sharers
John Woodward, chief executive of the UK Film Council, said ISPs had to "put on a deputy's badge".John Woodward, chief executive of the UK Film Council, said ISPs had to "put on a deputy's badge".
"You can send out all the cease and desist e-mails in the world, but ultimately if there isn't any sanction with some sort of threat of disrupted broadband, then the threats are empty and will be ignored.""You can send out all the cease and desist e-mails in the world, but ultimately if there isn't any sanction with some sort of threat of disrupted broadband, then the threats are empty and will be ignored."
He added: "A graduated response which leads to pain for persistent piracy is the only viable option."He added: "A graduated response which leads to pain for persistent piracy is the only viable option."
However, Barbara Follett MP, minister for the creative industries, told a conference of industry executives in London that the government was favouring a system of warning letters to offenders with the threat of legal action, rather than disconnection.However, Barbara Follett MP, minister for the creative industries, told a conference of industry executives in London that the government was favouring a system of warning letters to offenders with the threat of legal action, rather than disconnection.
She said the government was a "little nervous" of taking steps that would see users' connections slowed or stopped altogether.She said the government was a "little nervous" of taking steps that would see users' connections slowed or stopped altogether.
Rights holdersRights holders
While not ruling out any particular sanction, she said: "We are going to build on the memorandum of understanding set up last year between government, ISPs and rights holders.While not ruling out any particular sanction, she said: "We are going to build on the memorandum of understanding set up last year between government, ISPs and rights holders.
A letter threatening another letter is simply not good enough Simon Juden, Publishers Association A letter threatening another letter is simply not good enough Simon Juden, Publishers Association class="" href="/1/hi/talking_point/8046055.stm">Read a selection of your comments
"We propose a requirement for ISPs to notify their customers that are engaging in unlawful file-sharing and notify them in such a way that any further action would have consequences."We propose a requirement for ISPs to notify their customers that are engaging in unlawful file-sharing and notify them in such a way that any further action would have consequences.
"The consequences we propose are legal action; I know some people feel that is not sufficient.""The consequences we propose are legal action; I know some people feel that is not sufficient."
She said the detail of the types of legal action to be taken would be included in next month's Digital Britain report.She said the detail of the types of legal action to be taken would be included in next month's Digital Britain report.
She said that ministers were looking closely at events in France where the government is trying to introduce a "three strikes and out" policy for unlawful file-sharing.She said that ministers were looking closely at events in France where the government is trying to introduce a "three strikes and out" policy for unlawful file-sharing.
Legal actionLegal action
However, many in the creative industry are concerned that the onus to take legal action against "pirates" will fall on them, and not on the ISPs.However, many in the creative industry are concerned that the onus to take legal action against "pirates" will fall on them, and not on the ISPs.
Simon Juden, chief executive of the Publishers' Association, said: "A letter threatening another letter is simply not good enough."Simon Juden, chief executive of the Publishers' Association, said: "A letter threatening another letter is simply not good enough."
Ispa has also called on the creative industries to simplify and improve the licensing that is needed for firms to offer legal alternatives to file-sharing unlawfully.Ispa has also called on the creative industries to simplify and improve the licensing that is needed for firms to offer legal alternatives to file-sharing unlawfully.
"Ispa is disappointed that the creative industries continue to advocate legislation on enforcement without considering how the complicated licensing processes that many stakeholders believe are at the root of the problem can be reformed," the umbrella group said."Ispa is disappointed that the creative industries continue to advocate legislation on enforcement without considering how the complicated licensing processes that many stakeholders believe are at the root of the problem can be reformed," the umbrella group said.
Mr Woodward agreed the film industry had to introduce radical new business models if it were to succeed in the digital age and needed to work with ISPs to become partners in distributing content.Mr Woodward agreed the film industry had to introduce radical new business models if it were to succeed in the digital age and needed to work with ISPs to become partners in distributing content.
"There needs to be a better relationship between content providers, ISPS and consumers.""There needs to be a better relationship between content providers, ISPS and consumers."
He said that ISPs might be willing to consider a graduated response to tackling piracy if content providers were willing to pay distribution fees to ISPs.He said that ISPs might be willing to consider a graduated response to tackling piracy if content providers were willing to pay distribution fees to ISPs.
"ISPs would be incentivised to tackle piracy," he said."ISPs would be incentivised to tackle piracy," he said.
Should illegal file-sharers be cut off from the web? How damaging is file-sharing? Does it threaten people's jobs? Send us your comments using the form below.Should illegal file-sharers be cut off from the web? How damaging is file-sharing? Does it threaten people's jobs? Send us your comments using the form below.
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The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions