ILLICIT FILE SHARING

Early day motion 1997, tabled 12 October 2009 by Lord Watson of Wyre Forest (Labour). Signed by 57 members.

That this House notes with concern the Government's proposals on file sharing which would allow rights holders to request internet service providers to disconnect for a period of time, or throttle, the internet connection of people who may be accused of copyright infringement via peer to peer networks; believes that disconnecting alleged offenders will be futile given that it is relatively easy for determined file-sharers to mask their identity or their activity to avoid detection; acknowledges that illicit file-sharing only costs rights-holders money when people download infringing content in preference to buying it; further notes that identifying offenders using the Internet Protocol address of a specific machine may punish those who share a web connection; and calls on the Government to ensure that any citizen accused of illicit file-sharing is given the right to legal redress in a court of law before sanctions are imposed.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Liberal Democrat 18, Conservative 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Independent 1, Scottish National Party 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.