London - People who illegally put music or films on the internet for others to download could have their web access cut off under new copyright rules announced by the British government.
Record labels and studios will be able to send a list of those suspected of illegal “file-sharing” to internet service providers and demand that their accounts are switched off.
But consumer groups fear innocent families could be targeted. Parents have been caught up in allegations of piracy after their teenage children uploaded music without their knowledge.
Others have been wrongly accused after pirates hijacked their home wi-fi.
Under the new rules, it will cost £20 (about R220) to appeal against the allegations. The powers are part of a major shake-up of copyright laws unveiled by Business Secretary Vince Cable.
They will also clear up a longstanding anomaly by making it legal to transfer the contents of CDs and DVDs to home computers, laptops and MP3 players such as iPods, a process carried out by millions of consumers every day.
The proposals, which will be included in the Digital Economy Act, were welcomed by the official customer body, Consumer Focus. But it said there must be safeguards to ensure families do not have their internet cut off without good reason.
It is also unhappy about the £20 appeal fee, which it said effectively meant that those accused were assumed guilty until proven innocent.
Its chief executive, Mike O’Connor, said: “The fundamental way forward is to meet consumer demand for legal online music and film services.
Ô”imply threatening to disconnect entire households from the internet based on accusations by copyright owners which may be groundless will achieve little.
“Consumers should not have to pay to appeal. They are innocent until proven guilty.
“£20 may not sound like a big sum but it could deter innocent people on low incomes, leaving them cut-off from what has become an essential service.”
Mr O’Connor welcomed the decision to legalise the copying of legally bought music and films to personal computers and iPods. “It is nonsensical that over a decade since MP3 players appeared on the market, ‘ripping’ CDs and films remains illegal,” he said.
“People buying CDs, DVDs and e-books understandably think they should have the right to play what they have paid for on their MP3 player or computer.
“This announcement will bring the law up to speed for consumers’ needs in the 21st century, and should be put into effect as soon as possible.” The entertainment industry had argued for a levy to be applied to the price of iPods to compensate for allowing this change in the law.
But this was rejected by ministers.
At present, a record or film company which believes a family has been involved in illegally uploading music and films for others to access free of charge has to bring a civil claim for financial damages in the county court.
Consumer Focus said this gives those who are accused a day in court and a chance to defend themselves.
There is no detail yet on how long a family might lose their internet access for under the new rules.
Similarly, it is not known whether people with an annual contract would be entitled to a refund for the loss of service.
The Government said it was accepting all the recommendations of the recent Hargreaves review of copyright laws.
The creative industries minister, Ed Vaizey, said: “It is essential that businesses have the right tools to protect their hard work and investment in the digital age.
“The UK’s creative industries are a key part of our economy but online copyright infringement poses a real threat to their continued success.” - Daily Mail