“…Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, has outlined action to tackle piracy that will see repeat offenders’ internet connections disconnected within a minimum of 15 months from their offence…” 15 months eh? Nothing like rushing it through. Surely in that time ‘pirates’ will continue to download, with a potential 50meg unlimited download speed that’s more than enough time to build up quite a collection – wouldn’t a suspension pending investigation be a better move? This breaks down like this; say for instance I were to start downloading music/movies/ T.V. shows etc now and got caught no punishment at all would potentially happen until 2011 or later! The pirates, I’m sure, are laughing their illegal socks off!

“…In Stage One, illegal file sharers will first receive a warning letter. Then there will be an indefinite number of subsequent warnings, which will state that legal action will be taken if the account holder continues to download illegally. Legal action will then be taken by the rights holder against the worst offenders. Communications regulator Ofcom will set up a body to hear appeals. The regulator will report quarterly to the Secretary of State, with a goal to reduce piracy by 70pc. If the Stage One process is unsuccessful, then the internet disconnection process, or Stage Two, will begin. This will begin with further warning letters threatening internet suspension and further infringement will lead to the offender being included on a “serious infringer list”…”

Some big names are chomping at the bit for stronger legislation to be put in place, names like Sir Elton John. Noel Gallagher, James Blunt and Lily Allen stating that piracy is particularly harmful to young, new musicians and also composers who are not performing artists. James Blunt claimed that websites which make money from file shares are akin to drug dealers, strong but true in a way. Maybe holding out and sending letters over such a long period isn’t really displaying the severity of this digital theft? But as ever I guess you can draw your own conclusions.

Any media is still best as a bought item, come on peeps, get your cash out

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