The European Parliament has decided not to amend its updated Telecoms Package with legislation about illegal file-sharing.

Internet service providers (ISPs) may have been forced to disconnect subscribers to their networks who are found to be involved in activity of this sort.

The proposals included giving customers two warnings before their accounts were suspended.

If they continued in illegal activities, the consumers would find that they would be completely disconnected from the internet.

However, the European Parliament decided that it would support open access to digital content and would oppose cutting subscribers off for file-sharing.

In addition, measures that would require ISPs to enforce the copyright protection of certain files were also abandoned.

An important factor in the decision was the idea that ending internet connections could impinge on the fundamental rights of consumers.

It was decided that this kind of action could only be ruled by a judge as it attacks the rights of the individual user.

A bill to oversee a joint solution between ISPs and the industries affected by file-sharing was also abandoned.

In the UK there is already a voluntary agreement between some ISPs to prevent file sharing.

Virgin Media is one company that is involved. It now sends users who are breaking the law in this way a message to make them aware of their actions.

Despite this, the firm recently stated that it would not be taking further action against those who share video and music over the internet illegally.

It said that there is no legal justification or system in place that would allow them to cut people off in this way.


Friday, 26th September 2008

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