Internet users facing the chop for illegal downloads

PEOPLE who download music and films illegally face being cut off from the web under plans being considered by ministers in Britain.

Internet service providers (ISPs) could be legally obliged to take action against those who access pirate material.

Rule violators would be subject to a “three strikes and you’re out” policy, receiving an emailed warning first, followed by a suspension, and finally termination of their internet contract.

The Government is expected to confirm it intends to legislate on the issue in next week’s green paper on the future of the creative industries.

Broadband firms who fail to enforce the rules could face prosecution with details of suspected customers being made available to the courts.

A draft of the green paper states: “We will move to legislate to require internet service providers to take action on illegal filesharing.”

Some six million people are estimated to download files illegally every year in Britain, costing music and film companies billions in lost revenue.

Big ISPs such as BT and Virgin have been in talks with the entertainment industry over introducing a voluntary scheme for policing pirate activity, but no agreement has been reached. Sticking points are thought to include how disputed allegations would be arbitrated — for example, when customers claim other people have been “piggybacking” on their internet service.

A spokesman for the Internet Service Providers Association said it remained hopeful a deal over a voluntary system could emerge: “Every right-thinking body knows self-regulation is much the better option.”

A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: “Early drafts of our creative economy programme document were circulated to stakeholders for comment. The content and proposals for the strategy have been developed since and a comprehensive plan to bolster the UK’s creative industries will be published shortly.”