Expert identifies 'massive problems' with civil action against illegal downloaders

An expert has identified some "massive problems" with taking civil action against illegal downloaders.

There are two "massive problems" with taking legal action against those found repeatedly downloading copyrighted material illegally, one expert has claimed.

Sean Adams, founder and editor of the online music magazine Drowned in Sound, was responding to measures outlined in the government's Digital Britain report.

Among them was the possibility of taking civil action against illegal downloaders who continue their activity after being sent written warnings.

Mr Adams pointed out that this raises questions about what is acceptable and what is not with regards to the intellectual property issue.

Indeed, he asked why downloading thousands of music and video files should be any different to downloading just one, when both activities are illegal.

"What message does that send to people?" he asked. "That it's OK to steal a chocolate bar but not to rob the house of Cadbury's CEO? No wonder people don't understand the grey area of illegal downloading," he stressed.

Secondly, he said there are questions regarding the power of internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to file-sharing websites and their willingness to do so.

He said the Digital Britain report was put together in conjunction with ISPs who allow access to these sites even though they could "very easily" firewall them.

"I was surprised to find they do in Cuba, where musicians are valued above pretty much everyone else in their culture," Mr Adams remarked.

The Digital Britain report also contained a requirement for ISPs to cut internet piracy by 70 per cent over the next year.