It has emerged that the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) is apparently keen on the rest of the UK adopting a strategy currently being proposed by the government of the Isle of Man, which sees a ‘broadband tax’ being levied in an attempt to mitigate the costs of illegally downloaded music to the industry.
The IFPI estimates that around forty billion illegal music files were shared throughout 2008, and are proposing that a tax on broadband users would go towards funding the losses made as a result of this illegal activity.
The proposals have come under fire from trade association Tiga (The Independent Games Developers Association), who have slammed the proposed tax.
“The idea that a universal tax on broadband bills should be imposed in order to compensate entertainment companies for losses incurred from piracy and illegal downloads is wrong in principle,” says Tiga’s CEO, Richard Wilson. “Innocent people should not be required to pay heavier broadband bills because of the activities of criminals.”
With everyone waiting the publication of the oft-delayed Digital Britain report from Lord Carter, rumours about how internet piracy, which is a problem, can be solved have been racing around the various blogs and forums of the web. It is thought that ISPs will be required to hand over details of persistent offenders to the authorities, based on a ‘three strikes’ model, although until Lord Carter’s report sees the light of day, what will take place is anyone’s guess.
Posted by Tom on January 27th 2009 in Broadband
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