British Government Says No To Three Strikes

from the technical-measures dept

The British government has been working on its "Digital Britain" report, which covers a range of tech issues, including copyright and file-sharing. Earlier drafts of the report basically seemed like a proxy for the recording industry, as the government looked to set up an agency run by the industry itself to police copyright infringement. One of the industry's goals has been for the government to deputize ISPs, and force them to keep tabs on their customers' activity and take steps to cut down on illegal downloading and file-sharing. The ultimate goal of the British recording industry, like its counterparts elsewhere, was to see the country adopt a three-strikes system that would see persistent infringers booted off ISPs' networks. But a government minister has implied the final Digital Britain report won't back a three-strikes plan, and will likely include new (and undefined) "technical solutions" to be determined by the UK's communications regulator, alongside mandating that ISPs send out notification letters to illegal downloaders. There is speculation that these technical solutions will involve speed caps on infringing users, which sounds like a less bad plan than three strikes -- but it's still not clear why the government, or ISPs, need to get involved to help prop up the recording industry's faltering business models.
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Filed Under: file sharing, technical measures, three strikes, uk


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  1. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2009 @ 3:13am

    Carlo, once again, you create a title that doesn't match the facts in evidence.

    You said: "a government minister has implied the final Digital Britain report won't back a three-strikes plan, "

    The report says: "The government has all but ruled out using a "three strikes" law to tackle persistent net pirates."

    Is there anything that specifically says "British Government Says No To Three Strikes"?

    Nope. Overstepping. An ugly thing. Plus you really missed the best part (well, you saw it, but didn't pay attention). "Technical solutions" could involve things like, I dunno, traffic shaping?

    Finally, this:

    "it's still not clear why the government, or ISPs, need to get involved to help prop up the recording industry's faltering business models."

    They are getting involved because massive copyright infringement is a serious issue that threatens to undermine the UK industry's ability to continue to produce music, movies, and TV fare that unique British.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2009 @ 3:26am

    I was thinking about responding, but then I realized it was a Carlo article and he never responds to his own posts.

    Wait for it... I see... Mike's big blue comment block in the very near future... updated with gold bling...

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2009 @ 3:29am

    Re:

    Yeah, it seems that Carlo is the drive-by shooter of Techdirt, not interested in the feedback or ideas, or at least not interested to take the time to defend his "points".

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2009 @ 3:59am

    Re: Re:

    True.
    I have low expectations from any Carlo story. It's sad that Mike delegated this story to him.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2009 @ 4:10am

    Oh Geez, there are now spammers who register..?

    Anyone need a Backup Parking sensor? I mention this because well, quite frankly, if after only two weeks of registration, maybe they're worth buying their wares.

    So in the interest of this thread being dead because of Carlo, why not checkout http://www.backup-sensor.com

    Why?

    Well, they have something you should buy. That should be reason enough!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2009 @ 4:13am

    Somebody needs to publicise the fact that this has nothing to do with piracy, it's only piracy when you sell the product; grrrrrrr fools of tooks.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2009 @ 4:15am

    Re:

    BS

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2009 @ 4:17am

    I blame Mike. Not entirely sure how, but Steve Ballmer is somehow involved.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2009 @ 5:13am

    Re:

    They are getting involved because massive copyright infringement is a serious issue that threatens to undermine the UK industry's ability to continue to produce music, movies, and TV fare that unique British

    So how exactly is it that content has been created for thousands of years without the need of ridiculous copyright laws?

    Come back when you have an answer to that.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. identicon
    Derrick Hinkle, 5 Jun 2009 @ 5:51am

    Re:

    You're a bloody idiot. Seriously, and allow me to prove my thesis.

    You attack his title, which may be at some level inaccurate, but realistically is totally nonimportant. His article content on the other hand clearly agrees with the linked article. As other "technical solutions" has not been clarified by any source, Carlo obviously can't comment on it, without "Overstepping" as you said.

    "
    Finally, this:

    "it's still not clear why the government, or ISPs, need to get involved to help prop up the recording industry's faltering business models."

    They are getting involved because massive copyright infringement is a serious issue that threatens to undermine the UK industry's ability to continue to produce music, movies, and TV fare that unique British.
    "

    Yes, because people need to maintain a copyright for 70 years in order to produce music or other media which is uniquely British. As is the case with American Media, it's been shown that copyright often hinders creativity and limits people beginning in the market. I would guess that this same logic may apply to the British.

    Quod Erat Demonstratum

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    d0n0vAn, 5 Jun 2009 @ 6:21am

    You wrote: 'They are getting involved because massive copyright infringement is a serious issue that threatens to undermine the UK industry's ability to continue to produce music, movies, and TV fare that unique British.'

    British entertainment sucks because it is an extension of the government and everything from the news to sports is regulated to formulate public opinion. You're a no talent assclown.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    That PR Guy, 5 Jun 2009 @ 6:37am

    Re: Re:

    I see it more like throwing a big juicy steak to the dogs:

    Someone will eventually step up and be the alpha dog.

    Thought better of you, I really did. How much more Un-American can you be?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 5 Jun 2009 @ 8:02am

    Re: Re:

    haha. What is really odd is that british music and british films are often the worldwide best sellers, winning awards and praise from all over. It is a unique part of the entertainment industry, a totally tiny space to work in and yet it produces amazing amounts of quality content (on a level similar to Japan and the US for total product made).

    "people need to maintain a copyright for 70 years in order to produce music or other media which is uniquely British"

    No, what they need to know is that in making the investment to create the product, that they will have time to recoup those expenses, profit from their efforts, and be able to control the characters and product they have created.

    "As is the case with American Media, it's been shown that copyright often hinders creativity and limits people beginning in the market"

    Not in the slightest. It does stop ignorant people who think they can take someone else product, add "oh yeah baby, give it to me baby" over the top of a hit song and expect to profit from it.

    Your argument is to protect who, the no talent rappers and the non-musical remix "artists" who can't play a note to save their lives? Come off it.

    link to this | view in thread ]


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