Intellectual property minister David Lammy has defended the government’s recently revised, tougher plans to disconnect the most persistent illegal file-sharers against a growing chorus of criticism from ISPs, consumer groups and now the very musicians and artists the plans are designed to protect. Speaking to the Motion Picture Association of America in Washington on Thursday (via Billboard.biz) he said the new proposals “send a clear message: when it comes to piracy and infringement, digital is not different.” He stressed there needed to be a combination of “enforcement, education and forward-looking policy”.
— Artists’ opposition: But at the same times the Featured Artists’ Coalition, the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and the Music Producers’ Guild say in a statement (via Musically): “We vehemently oppose the proposals being made and suggest that the stick is now in danger of being way out of proportion to the carrot.” They accuse the government of taking a negative, small-minded view and warn: “We will not be a party to any system that alienates our members

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