Crackdown on illegal downloads

Jun 17 2009 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

PLANS for a Digital Britain could see a crackdown on illegal downloads and file sharing as the Government announces plans for superfast broadband access.

The Government’s Digital Britain report, outlined by new culture minister Ben Bradshaw, also includes plans to ensure all radio stations move from analogue to digital by 2015.

There was a promise to look at allowing the BBC’s licence fee to be top-sliced to fund regional ITV show.

Music pirates face having their internet connection cut in a crackdown on illegal file sharing.

There were also promises of a “more robust” system of content classification for the video games industry.

Ministers want to ensure every home has access to two megabits per second broadband by 2012, funded by a 50p a month charge on all fixed land phone lines.

Announcing the changes, Mr Bradshaw said: “Developing legal download markets will best serve both consumers and the creative industries.

“But we will also legislate to curb unlawful peer-to-peer file sharing.

“Ofcom will be given a new duty to cut down on the activity including obligations to notify people carrying out unlawful activity and release the identities of serial infringers to enable legal action by rights-holders.”

And turning to the licence fee, he said there was “nothing in either the BBC Charter, or legislation, to say that the BBC must have exclusive rights to it”.

But shadow culture secretary Jeremy Hunt dismissed the document as a “colossal disappointment”.

Mr Hunt branded the report “digital dithering from a dated Government” and claimed that, with 12 new consultations, it amounted to “government of the management consultants, for the management consultants, by the management consultants”.

He said that rather than introducing a “broadband tax,” the Government should be seeking to stimulate investment through the regulatory structure.

Last night, in a strongly-worded statement, BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said the body would not sit back quietly if the licence fee were to be used as a “slush fund”.

He said: “On behalf of licence fee payers, the BBC Trust opposes top-slicing.

“The licence fee has a clear aim, clear benefits, is clearly understood and has stood the test of time.

“Top-slicing would damage BBC output, reduce accountability and compromise independence.

“The licence fee must not become a slush fund to be dipped into at will, leading to spiralling demands on licence fee payers to help fund the political or commercial concerns of the day.”