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Computer users who download illegal content will be cut off from the internet under tough new rules announced by Peter Mandelson.
The Business Secretary pledged a “three strikes” policy, although he said cutting off would be a last resort.
Speaking at a forum to debate copyright issues, he said the UK would introduce a similar policy to France.
Persistent pirates will be sent two warning letters before facing disconnection from the network.
“I was shocked to learn that only one in 20 music tracks in the UK is downloaded legally,” said Lord Mandelson. The Digital Economy Bill will be introduced next month.
Reader views (11)
Well Mandy is certainly not qualified to deal with such matters since he was never elected JUST RUBBER STAMPED!
- Tony, Herts, 29/10/2009 10:07
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"Mandelson to cut off illegal downloaders."
This is just a practise run. Next time round he'll be cutting off political opponents,
- John Peters, London, UK, 29/10/2009 09:58
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Meddlesome might think he is winning a few favours in the music business, but just makes himself look like a clueless fool to the electorate. Oh I forgot, he hasn't been elected, so he doesn't need to care about that special interest group.
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark, 29/10/2009 09:06
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I think we are all missing the point here.
People are being robbed at gunpoint on our streets.
crime is at an unprecedented level in british society.
WE ARE NOT IN A RECESSION BUT A DEPPRESSION.
And All Mr Mandelson is worried about are a small handful of people that download the odd track from an industry that has been ripping off teenagers from day one of "popular music".
I think the issue is Mr Mandelson trying to seek government control of internet access in the uk .
How long will it be before the government attempt to start to close down the internet connection of anyone that disagrees with their bankrupt "policies".How long before they shut down the accounts of anyone viewing the B.N.P or communist/socialist/anarchist/anti globalisation websites.
THE GOVERNMENT ARE TERRIFIED BY FREE MOVEMENT OF INFORMATION AS THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THIS TYPE OF MEDIA AND IT FRIGTENS THEM.
I see shades of nazi germany here and it makes me sit here with furrowed brow writing this message .
JUST REMEMBER IF MANDELSON GETS HIS WAY PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND ME WILL NOT BE ABLE TO WRITE ANYTHING CHALLENGING THIS PROTO-NAZI NEW LIEBOUR GOVERNMENT.
and i don't consider the tories to be much better either.
MR( WHAT IS HAPPENING TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH) PASTRY
- Mr Pastry, london, 29/10/2009 07:47
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Well seems like the Emperor has new clothes, depends on whether this is the start of shut down by common consent or the Tech was been finalised by China these last few years.
- Bill, Hay~Heath UK, 29/10/2009 02:13
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Who is he?...who does he work for exactly?....he was not elected by the British Public so I cant see that there is any 'legal' obligation to say that he is working for the benefit of the Country...more like for his big World Banker mates who he holidayed with , the Rothchilds..who not only benefited by a World planned recesion but more so by the billions lent by their cartel to Governments and business's worldwode in interest payments charged.
If Mandy really wanted to help he would be creating a British National Bank and get us out of slavery to the Banking system where we are pawned lock, stock and barrel..and that includes us, as individuals, being listed ' as stock' ( as we have a value ).
Yes YOU are STOCK to be traded...welcome to the real world.
- Clif, London, 28/10/2009 18:30
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Small little detail to be considered. To cut such people off from the internet the government would have to be able to control ALL access to the internet. The one can't be done without the other. Is that what's on the cards? Or is Mandelson just blowing hot air? With this guy and his perceived penchant for playing puppeteer in anything and everything, I'm not so sure that this might not be a deeper intent for the government.
Hey, the Chinese are trying it on. Why not this lot?
- Rogan, Irving, 28/10/2009 18:12
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“I was shocked to learn that only one in 20 music tracks in the UK is downloaded legally,” said Lord Mandelson. About the same rate as legal expenses claims for MP's then. But no furore about that!!!!
- Alan, carlisle uk, 28/10/2009 14:21
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Blah, blah, blah, how do you propose to stop people using anonymous proxy servers exactly?
- Bob, Cheam, 28/10/2009 14:13
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Rather than targeting youngsters (I am assuming the majority of them are teenagers)who download a few songs - why doesn't he focus on the real problem and rid the Net of all the pornographic material which is being downloaded by paedophiles. If successful it won't make his rich friends any richer but it might save many thousands of children suffering at the hands of the despicable individuals who download such material.
- R.F.York, Yorks, UK, 28/10/2009 13:54
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Has advanced packet sniffing and decryption technology been introduced by all UK ISP's, and is Lord Mandelson going to pay for my new computer and router so that I can use it wirelessly with the WEP2 encryption algorithm as both WPA and WEP1 can be cracked?
- Jim, London, 28/10/2009 13:47
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