Ofcom, the regulator for the UK communications industries with responsibilities across television, radio, telecommunications, and wireless communications services, has revealed details of how it will oversee the implementation of measures put forward in the Digital Economy Bill about two weeks ago. The Digital Economy Bill (DEB) sets a target to reduce internet piracy by 75%, as well as keep the government up to speed with its progress.
The regulations of Ofcom’s measures are as follows:
1. Internet service providers must let their customers know of any allegations of illegal file- sharing
2. Copyright holders will have to acquire a court order before starting legal proceedings
3. Subscribers must be provided with enough information to be able to challenge the basis under which they may receive a notification of infringement
4. Warning letters will be sent to file- sharers, however, if they do not work, the Secretary of State could ask individual internet service providers to adopt stricter penalties
5. Their deadline for the full Copyright Infringement Code of Practice has a deadline of eight months, but the final draft is due in May
Will this actually work? And could something like this be effective here in the states?
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