New legislation could be implemented by April 2009
In the latest effort to help stop, or indeed reduce, the download of illegal files via the internet, the UK government has said that ISPs could face legal sanctions if they fail to take action against illegal downloads.
Speaking on the matter, the culture secretary confirmed that consultation would begin this spring and that legislation could, if approved, be implemented "by April 2009".
The plans will be welcome news to the global music industry which has frequently blamed piracy and the illegal sharing of music via the internet as the primary cause for a slide in music sales.
Some ISPs are already known to self-regulate but if the government's new legislation is approved, every ISP will be forced to monitor the activity of its users and the UK would be one of the first countries to impose such sanctions.
In response to the proposed legislation, ISPs have stated that monitoring what users download is near impossible, highlighting that it would be like asking the Royal Mail to monitor the contents of every envelope posted.
One thing we know for certain is that the government is now taking the matter very seriously and aims to combat the estimated 6 million UK broadband users who are said to download files illegally every year.
How do you feel about the government's proposed legislation? Share your thoughts on piracy in the HEXUS forums.
Source: BBC
