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UK file-sharers will be 'cut off' UK file-sharers to be 'cut off'
(30 minutes later)
The UK government is to announce that people who consistently download films and music illegally will be cut off from the net. The UK government has published new measures that could see people who illegally download films and music cut off from the net.
The announcement will come in the form of an amendment to the Digital Britain report, launched in June. The amendment to the Digital Britain report would see regulator Ofcom given greater powers to tackle pirates.
It is believed that Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has intervened personally to beef up the report. The technical measures are likely to include suspending the net accounts of "hardcore copyright pirates".
The amendment will make it easier for internet service providers to act against pirates. It is believed that Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has intervened personally to beef up the policy.
ISPs have said it is not their job to police the web. The Digital Britain report, published in June, gave Ofcom until 2012 to consider whether technical measures to catch pirates were necessary.
It is likely there will be widespread anger from ISPs over the u-turn. However, according to a statement from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills released on Tuesday, that timeframe is now considered "too long to wait".
Much of the Digital Britain report is dedicated to ways to get people online and many felt that a policy of cutting off persistent downloaders would go against this ethos. Stephen Timms, minister for Digital Britain, explained the change of heart.
"We've been listening carefully to responses to the consultation this far, and it's become clear there are widespread concerns that the plans as they stand could delay action, impacting unfairly upon rights holders," he said.
ISPs have repeatedly argued that it is not their job to police the web.
There is likely to be widespread anger over the tougher stance being adopted by the government.