Illegal file-sharing problems 'will never be completely solved'

The problem of illegal file-sharing will never be completely solved‚ it has been claimed.

It will not be possible to completely solve the problem of illegal peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing over the internet, according to one expert.

Mark Jackson, editor in chief of ISPreview.co.uk, said the exchange of data is fundamental to the nature of the internet.

He was responding to the European Parliament's rejection of attempts by member state governments to block internet access to those who ignore repeated warnings about file-sharing.

Under the proposals, internet service providers would be required to cut off users suspected of illegal downloading if they fail to crease their activity after receiving three warning letters.

They were rejected on the premise that the rights of internet users should not be restricted without the involvement of judicial authorities.

Mr Jackson said there is "no doubt" that illegal downloading of copyrighted music and video files is serious and needs to be addressed.

However, he said the disconnecting suspected pirates would not solve the problem, insisting any notion that it would is "at best naive and at worst criminal".

He explained that without going through due legal process, it is impossible to tell whether somebody is actually guilty of illegal file-sharing.

"Media firms track suspected illegal P2P activity to IP addresses, yet IPs can easily be spoofed, redirected, shared over big networks or even hijacked," he remarked.

Mr Jackson went on to add that unless ISPs can somehow analyse a person's hard disk drive, they run the risk of disconnecting innocent users.

And he pointed out that since internet access has become an almost essential commodity in the eyes of modern society, cutting people off from it without a legal ruling seems like "a step back to the dark ages".

Jack Wraith, chief executive of Telecommunications UK Fraud Forum, said recently that consumer education is the best way to tackle the intellectual property issue.

He said illegal downloading must be made socially and morally unacceptable in order for it to be stamped out.