ISPs could face piracy sanctions

[gkd_uk]

Internet service providers must take concrete steps to curb illegal downloads or face legal sanctions.
That is one of the proposals expected to be outlined by the government in an attempt to curb internet piracy.

Culture secretary Andy Burnham told the Financial Times that consultation would begin in spring and any legislation could be implemented "by April 2009".

Representatives of the recording industry, who blame piracy on a slump in sales, welcomed the proposals.

"ISPs are in a unique position to make a difference and in doing so to reverse a culture of creation-without-reward that has proved so damaging to the whole music community over the last few years," said John Kennedy, head of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI).

A spokesperson for the Internet Service Provider's Association (ISPA) said that the creating appropriate legislation would be very difficult.

"Any scheme has got to be legal, workable and economically sustainable," Brian Ahern told BBC News.

He also said that ISPs were already pursuing self-regulation, which was the governments preferred route.

"The government has no burning desire to legislate," he added.

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