The boss of BT has criticised the government's plans to cut-off persistent illegal file-sharers from their internet accounts, suggesting that fining them would be a far more progressive option.
British Telecom's Chief Exec, Ian Livingston, has teamed up with a number of other key industry figures and written a letter to the Financial Times urging that changes be made to the Digital Economy Bill.
Unnatural justice
Plans to cut off filesharers go against what Mr Livingston refers to as 'natural justice' and instead he wants to see those accused of filesharing either pay a fine or fight their case in a court of law.
ISPs will no doubt see this as a preferable option to the current suggestions in the Digital Economy Bill, which, if ratified, will essentially see them being forced to cut off their own customers.
The BT boss said that this alternative approach would "create a fund" and "you get some good, rather than getting some hurt out of people infringing copyright".
Via BBC
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mp3
March 10th 2010
1. If this is illegal then why do sites exist that offer file sharing?? Surely it is easier to close the site and eradicate the problem. It's the same as the car issue. The world still makes sports cars that can go 70+ miles per hour even though it is against the law in every country. The money from speeding keeps the police in work and no blame or pressure is ever put on the manufacturer. As for file sharing, in the short term, it is great news for naughty file sharer people that want to cut down on their broadband accounts. No need for unlimited down load offers hence BT get less money. You will just have to take your notebook on holiday and download while your sunbathing in Asia on a free WiFi connection which you can find in most places. However, in the long term, given that this will hugely affect BT profits I expect they will raise the price for line rental so merely logging in to Yahoo will cost you as much money that unlimited download offers once did. Do you think this will catch on in other countries? Neither do I. File sharing is an international problem which falls way behind other issues that need more urgent attention, like for instance, regulating Web Cam sex sites....exactly..is the sexy girl next door paying tax on her immoral earnings?? I doubt it..she is more likely to be spending her wages on fake designer handbags, shoes and watches from unregulated Chinese sites offering replica designer products. And as for junk mail offering sex drugs and the pain killers M&M sings about...no the wonder people need Web Cam girls... given the priorities of todays youth I doubt they can afford to pay for music, films and software when sex, drugs, fake bling and body re-alignment seem to be the order of the day for some time to come.
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