ISPs could get powers to disrupt file-sharing pirates

Government minister suggests internet service providers may be given the power to take action against web users who persistently break the rules when it comes to downloading and illegal file sharing.

Internet service providers could be given powers to disrupt the behaviour of illegal file sharers

The government has indicated that internet service providers may be given powers to take 'technical measures' to disrupt the behaviour of illegal file sharers, who download large amounts of unlicensed music and other content from the web.

Speaking at a music industry event, culture minister Andy Burnham revealed that the government had all but ruled out the 'three strikes and out' approach to illegal downloading - the method by which anyone caught file-sharing on three occasions could have their internet access suspended by their provider - but still suggested that internet providers could be given the power to throttle or slow the access speeds of persistent offenders.

We won't get full sight of the government's official plans until the upcoming Digital Britain report is released. But with the report expected on the 16th June, this is a serious indication that the Ofcom could play a big role in tackling Britain's £1.4bn piracy problem.

The true extent of the UK's piracy was highlighted by a report released by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), earlier this year and painted a pretty damning picture of your average Brit's relaxed approach to software rights, with the revelation that 27 per cent of all software on UK computers is pirated.