The gloves are off! Musicians and FAC agree on 3 strikes for music pirates

There finally seems to be some consensus emerging amongst artists, creative industries, industry bodies and the Government regarding what measures should be taken against illegal file sharing in the UK. Following a three-hour meeting in London on 24th September, the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) expressed support for Government proposals of so-called “Technical Measures” to address problems of widespread online music piracy. The Featured Artists Coalition was formed earlier this year as a representative body with an emphasis on challenging issues of music ownership alongside copyright laws and regulations, effectively presenting a platform for musicians to promote their concerns with the industry in the age of digital distribution. It is comprised of a Board of members including Billy Bragg alongside members of Radiohead, Blur and The Futureheads.

The artists involved agreed that if offenders ignore two warning letters, they should have their broadband connections suppressed "to a level which would render file-sharing of media files impractical while leaving basic email and web access", according to a statement issued immediately after the meeting.

In addition, music industry umbrella group UK Music have sent Business Secretary Lord Mandelson a letter calling for persistent offenders to be given written warnings but for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to only implement temporary disconnection as a last resort tactic. As previously reported by The Gen, last month Lord Mandelson proposed a serious Government crackdown on illegal file sharing in the UK. Signed by lobby groups representing musicians, managers and music companies including the rights collection agency PRS for Music, the letter stated: "We support Government proposals which would see internet service providers (ISPs) send notifications and apply technical measures to impede and discourage the use of unlicensed peer-to-peer networks and to encourage the use of legitimate services”. It continued: "We agree that a clear distinction should be made between how technical measures are applied to the casual infringer, compared to how they are applied to the persistent infringer, with temporary suspension of broadband accounts being applicable only as a last resort."

However, some ISPs have indicated a reluctance to implement such a strategy due to the financial implications, with the Head of BT’s consumer division John Petter warning that such suspensions of service could cost up to £1M per annum.

The Chief Executive of the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) Geoff Taylor reacted with anger to this statement, telling The Guardian newspaper that BT’s claims were unsubstantiated. Elaborating, Taylor said that the Company should seek to “Recognise that reducing illegal use of its network is a cost of running a socially responsible business”.

Have your say! Are we finally reaching a point of agreement between artists, Government and industry bodies on this massive issue? What are your thoughts on these practical "technical measures"? How will the ISPs respond and seek to implement? Will such measures secure the future of British creative industries? The debate rages on!