Government: cutting off file-sharers requires court order

 

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By Nicole Kobie

Posted on 23 Oct 2009 at 14:00

The Government has taken a step back from controversial plans to force ISPs to cut off the broadband connections of the most prolific file-sharers.

Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw, speaking to a Commons committee, said such suspensions would be a "very last resort for serial and serious infringement" and would require a court order first.

"It wouldn't just happen on the basis of an accusation," he told the committee. "Firstly there would need to be a court order for any of the technical measures."

He added: "Innocent teenagers are not going to be cut off willy-nilly on the basis of an accusation. That is not our intention."

Cutting back on illegal file-sharing was part of the Digital Britain plan, but the move to cut off the worst offenders has since been proposed.

The plans have proved unpopular with ISPs. Carphone Warehouse has threatened to take the Government to court if it's forced to disconnect file-sharers.