By Katie Allen: European trade unions and industry groups call for tighter controls on illegal filesharing and more pressure on ISPs
European trade unions and industry groups from TV, film and radio have joined Bono, Lily Allen and other big-name artists in calling for wider legal crackdowns on internet piracy.
Workers’ representatives and trade groups from across Europe have formed a coalition to urge the European Union to formally adopt a strong stance against illegal filesharing and to put more pressure on internet service providers (ISPs) to help curb piracy.
The calls follow headline-grabbing plans from the UK government to curb copyright infringement, including sending warning letters to persistent unlawful filesharers. Under the proposals, if piracy is not reduced by 70%, the government will introduce a series of “technical measures” that could include suspending a pirate’s broadband connection. The plans have drawn intense criticism from ISPs and consumer groups but support from musicians, including Allen, who collated the views of various artists in a controversial blog last autumn.
The European Audiovisual Social Dialogue Committee is now calling for “improvements to the legal framework” throughout the EU to encourage producers, broadcasters and content creators to provide more lawful online services.
“The unauthorised filesharing of protected works and performances
This article originally appeared in © Guardian News & Media Ltd..
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