Government to clampdown on illegal downloading

11:23 Thu 24 July 2008

The UK government has struck a deal with six of the country's biggest net providers in an attempt to clampdown on illegal downloading. The initiative will target users who are suspected of persistent illegal file sharing. Account holders will then be issued warning letters.

The BPI, which represents UK record labels, has called for repeat offenders to have their internet connection cut off. But the six ISPs, T, Virgin, Orange, Tiscali, BSkyB and Carphone Warehouse, have so far refused to agree to the proposal.

According to the BBC, the memorandum requires ISPs to become more proactive in dealing with the problem of illegal file sharing. The agreement comes on the day in which the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is set to announce plans on how to punish ISPs that fail to take action against persistent illegal downloading.