Broadband Firms 'Must Take Action on Downloading'

Broadband providers could soon become legally obliged to crack down on users who illegally download music and movies, ZDNet.co.uk reports.

The business, enterprise and regulatory reform minister Malcolm Wicks told parliament that it is aiming to work towards a "voluntary agreement" between officials and broadband providers on the topic. However, should this prove "too ambitious", restrictions on internet piracy might be made mandatory. He added: "It would be very disappointing if we have to legislate, but nobody should doubt our willingness to do so if an agreement cannot be reached."

However, broadband firms represented by the Internet Service Providers Association (ISPA) hit back at these comments, terming such proposed regulations "cumbersome".

A spokesperson added: "It is ISPA's preference to agree a non-legislative solution which carefully considers the complex legal framework…in which [we] operate. This includes the Electronic Commerce Directive Regulations 2002 and the Data Protection Act 1998.

"These limitations are balanced against past experience of legislation in this area which can result in cumbersome regulation and may not offer an optimal solution."

Recent research from the music industry found that 6.5 million broadband and other internet users downloaded music illegally last year. The average teenager was found to have 800 stolen tracks on their mp3 players.