Illegal file sharers may have internet connection suspended - Mandelson

PEOPLE who share files illegally over the internet may have their connection suspended under Government proposals to tackle piracy, but only as a "last resort", Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said today.

The Government had a responsibility to ensure performers were properly rewarded for their work, he said on a visit to the Brit Performing Arts and Technology School in Croydon, south London.

Persistent file-sharers could have their internet connections cut off for short periods, he said, but only after a series of written warnings.

Singer Lily Allen recently issued a rallying call to fellow artists to back tough action, warning that illegal file sharing was making it "harder and harder for new acts to emerge".

Lord Mandelson said: "People in the industry are right to be concerned about how we nurture and protect talent in the future.

"We cannot see a situation where people are recording and producing content in Britain only to see it ripped off unlawfully without proper payment.

"Equally we have got to look to the industry to put in place services, packages and products that are affordable, that give people access to the music they want to hear."

The cut-off sanctions, which are out for consultation until September 29, have been criticised by internet service providers who said they could amount to a breach of internet users' human rights.

Lord Mandelson said such sanctions were under consideration, but would only be used in extreme circumstances.

"We are talking about temporary suspension of persistent unlawful file sharers after many written notifications with the chance for them to appeal," he said.

"It doesn't get more modest or more fair than that."

The Business Secretary said it was vital for jobs and growth that Britain's creative industries were given the chance to flourish.

"Downloading somebody's work without paying for it – whether it be music, film or computer games – is not a victimless act," he said.

"It poses a genuine threat to our creative industries and to the livelihoods of talented, hard-working people striving to get a foothold in them."