Three strikes plan evolves

The Department For Business Innovation and Skills (BIS), recently published a report on the proposed ‘Three strikes’ system proposed to tackle piracy in the UK, with rights holders set to cover 75% of costs.

As proposed by the Digital Economy Act, the remaining 25% of costs are to be covered by the Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Music companies and content providers have previously voiced concerns that ISPs should cover more than a quarter of costs, particularly as peer-to-peer file sharing is facilitated through high speed broadband connections, the purchase of which benefits such companies.

It was also announced that those accused of file sharing would not have to pay anything to exercise the right to appeal. Communication regulators Ofcom are in the process of preparing a report that aims to outline exactly how the ‘graduated response’ system is going to work in terms of logistics and costs.

In related news, the European Parliament this week announced a series of anti-piracy measures as part of a major report on intellectual property. Suggestions included the improvement of licensing systems across Europe and how to tackle the cross-border management of rights in a more effective way.