Hot Issues,Trends,Discussions: Government unveils new laws to tackle illegal internet downloads

Government unveils new laws to tackle illegal internet downloads

The Government in unveiling new legislation which could see people who illegally download music and films having their internet connection slowed down or cut off altogether.

The new Digital Economy Bill aims to ensure the UK is at the ''leading edge'' of global online industries, the Government says.
Under the proposed legislation, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) would be required to notify users accused of online piracy.
They would also have to record how many times each subscriber receives one of these notifications.
This would allow the copyright holders to apply for a court order to get the name and address of serious repeat offenders so they can take legal action against them.
But the Bill, announced in the Queen's Speech on Wednesday and published on Friday, also makes provision for the Secretary of State to direct communications regulator Ofcom to develop tough sanctions for illegal file-sharers.
These could include bandwidth capping - where the user's internet connection is slowed down - or temporary suspension of their online account.
The Bill would give the Secretary of State power to require ISPs to impose these technical measures.
Anyone who feels they have been unfairly penalised could complain through a ''clear and effective appeals mechanism''.
The Bill also includes a power to amend copyright legislation to deal with any new technologies that emerge in the future.
Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, said: ''Better protecting our creative communities from the threat of online infringement will ensure existing and emerging talent is rewarded, and will bring new choices for online consumers.''