UK broadband consumers could have to pay more if the
government acts on proposals to set up a copyright protection
agency.
Communications minister
Lord Carter has proposed a 'rights agency' to co-ordinate the
fight against online copyright infringement.
His interim
Digital Britain report, published yesterday,suggests that
funding for the new body should come from a levy on ISPs and the
entertainment industry. But the ISP association, ISPA, has said it
isconcerned that the increased financial burden on members will
impact on the cost of broadband to consumers.
Last year, the government
brokered an agreement by six UK ISPs to work with the
entertainment industry and government to reduce illegal
file-sharing.
The agreement led to ISPs sending warning letters to broadband
users suspected of sharing music and film content illegally.
Lord Carter is proposinglegislation that will force ISPs to
notify alleged infringers of digital content copyright that their
conduct is unlawful.
Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at security firm
Sophos said the challenge would be to identify who was really
committing the crime.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to prove who exactly is
sharing copyrighted material, he warned.
"ISPs and the authorities must tread very carefully not to
damage goodwill by falsely accusing innocent parties," said
Cluley.
ISPA welcomed the government's commitment to working in
co-operation with industry to maximise the potential of the
internet.
But Nicholas Lansman, ISPA secretary-general said the
association would be meeting government to outline its views on
issue in the report before publication of the full report later
this year.