http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/5559323/Digital-Britain-response-The-music-industrys-plan-to-combat-internet-piracy.htmlThe International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) estimates that there were 890 million illegal free music downloads through file sharing in the UK in 2007 compared with 140 million paid downloads, for songs by artists such as Lady Gaga.
UK Music, the industry body for the commercial music industry, has drafted the new plan, having been disappointed with the proposals laid out by Digital Britain to target piracy.
Lord Carter, the communications minister responsible for compiling the Digital Britain report, has proposed the following legislation:
1. Internet pirates will first receive a written warning from Ofcom, the communication regulator.
2. Then if the piracy continues, Ofcom and the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will work together to collect a database of the identities and activities of repeat offenders.
3. This information will be handed over to rights holders, such as a music artist, who can then issue a court order.
4. Punishments, such as blocking the sites from which material has been illegally downloaded, capping internet speeds and filtering content, will only be enforced if a year after the written warnings have been issued, piracy among the noted offenders, has not declined by 70%.
However, the music and video industries have come to a broad consensus, arguing these measures, “the write and then sue” approach, will not work.
UK Music is now proposing an alternative five-point action plan to the government:
1. Warning notice: The ISP will send a letter to the account holder illegally file sharing copyright material
2. Interactive notification and web redirection: The ISP will redirect the account’s web browser to a website which will require the account holder to identify themselves and their responsibility for the account. The ISP will also inform the account holder that their internet service speed will be restricted for one week.
3. Should an ISP receive evidence of illegal file sharing on an account for a third occasion, it will send a notification to the account holder that their internet service will be immediately suspended for 72 hours.
4. Evidence of illegal file sharing on an account on a fourth occasion, the ISP will send a notification to the account holder that their internet service will be immediately suspended for one month.
5. With evidence of illegal file sharing for a fifth occasion, the ISP will suspend the account for a period of two months and that a further two month suspension will be implemented if a further infringement occurs.
A consultation period has now begun between the government and rights holders, ISPs and industry bodies. The new proposals will be presented to the government and a decision is expected by mid September.
A UK Music spokesperson said: "We're recommending "suspension" not "disconnection", and for two months only as a final measure. There is no blacklist and those penalised could sign up to another ISP. The overriding objective of these measures is to encourage the use of legal, licensed music services."
I get the impression that the music industry realises that it has lost the "Three strikes and you are out" argument and is now trying to salvage what it can.
