Page 1 of Total internet ban for those who illegally download films and tv.

This is from December last year, but the story has resurfaced again today on the BBC and in some of the newspapers.

Quote:
Internet users who download pirate films or television series could soon see their service suspended as political pressure grows on broadband service providers to stop illegal downloads.

The Government has given notice of its concern at the "huge cumulative effect" of illegal downloads and called on internet service providers (ISPs) to examine ways to reverse the trend.

ISPs are to be brought to negotiations in the new year over plans by film companies to suspend the service of those who break the law.

Until now, broadband companies have been deeply reluctant to step in, arguing that it is impractical to monitor the activities of users and would infringe privacy. "ISPs are no more able to inspect and filter every single packet passing across their network than the Post Office is able to open every envelope," insists ISPA, the industry association.

However, this argument has been undermined by developments in France, where an industry initiative backed by President Sarkozy could result in internet subscribers who download music, films and other content without paying for them being banned from having access to the web.

Denis Olivennes, the chairman of Fnac, the DVD retailer, who conducted a review for the French Government, called for a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" policy for individuals found guilty of internet piracy. He argued that ISPs are culpable because they encourage subscribers to take advantage of the amount of free material on the web.

In Britain, pressure is growing on ISPs from a powerful cross-party committee of MPs on the Culture Select Committee, who argue that ISPs have accepted in principle that access to unlicensed material should be restricted. In a report on the creative industries, MPs said: "It may be impractical for such businesses to be made legally liable for providing access to certain material, but we believe strongly that the industry should do more to discourage piracy."

Some broadband companies have indicated that they are willing to enter negotiations. A spokesman for Virgin Media said: "As a responsible ISP, Virgin Media would always openly negotiate with any interested party or governing body such as Ofcom." He added that a precedent for monitoring users had already been set.

A spokesman for BT said as copyright infringement is a civil, not a criminal, offenceit is "a matter for the rights holders and not for the ISPs".

What do you think?

floyd

I`m only averagely computer literate and I can think of at least three or four ways around this.
I think it`s a non starter.
More of a wish list than a can do.


Snaps

Load of donkey bollocks

Quote:
I can think of at least three or four ways around this.

Care to enlighten the rest of us? Hypothetically speaking of course

My arguement is the same as it`s always been. Over the years I`ve been stung many times by record/film companies (over the course of <> 3000 cds/lps and <>700 dvd`s), whereby there`d be one decent track on an album or a film would be utter garbage.

I can now try before I buy. If I like it, I buy it, if I don`t, I delete it...end of

Quote:
Care to enlighten the rest of us? Hypothetically speaking of course

Being even less computer literate even I can see that some people would simply try to hijack any wireless conections in their area.

Local libraries in Falkirk are on the brink of allowing free wi-fi access in libraries. One code/and on you go.

Some Welcome Break/ Travel Lodges offer wi-fi, another way of gaining access to those in the know.

Yes, these politicians really think things through :D :D

Choagy FFCUK The SPL :)

It`s never going to stop the determined individual.
At best, they can only hope to put the frighteners on PC spazzies, like me.
I`m quaking, no honest I am. :¦

Oh boy I can`t wait for this one to come back. In the old days we could call someone a witch, then put `em on a ducking stool and save the the world from black magic. Them were the days and I tell ye they are coming back forsooth.

The thing is, ISPs will never be able to track what is copyright material and what is not. Bittorrent already supports encrypting the data so ISPs will have absolutely no idea what is passing through their systems.

Which means the only thing left would be someone in the "copyright industry" pointing a finger at an ISPs user and just saying "that bloke`s a thief", resulting in that person losing his service. All on the say so of someone in an industry well known for being interested in nothing but themselves.

Ridiculous really. It`d mean the end of sites with guitar tabs and lyrics on them (if the copyright holders desired), and you can bet it wouldn`t work the other way, if someone working for the MPAA was caught duplicating copyrighted material off some guy in the street, their ISP wouldn`t listen to the little bloke.

I must say certain behaviour by the entertainment industry completely disgusts me, and I have no doubt that if they could they`d stop people singing their songs and quoting their movies in the street unless someone was paying royalties for the privilege.


Editor
DVD REVIEWER

"The Green Belt policy is a Labour Policy, and we intend to Build on it"
John Prescott

Quote:
It`d mean the end of sites with guitar tabs and lyrics on them (if the copyright holders desired),

I used to use a website called the Bass tab archive.
It was closed down a good year or so ago, for the every reason you state above.