Internet Ban Plan Would Bar Illegal Downloaders, Under '3 Strikes' Rule
A proposal to ban illegal music and film downloaders from using the Internet that has been under discussion for months by Hollywood entertainment industry officials and Internet service providers may be moving closer to reality.
Proposed legislation to implement the enforcement system will be unveiled in the United Kingdom next week, reports the London Times. The newspaper says a similar Internet ban plan is being discussed in the United States.
Under a “three strikes” rule, service providers would give Internet users a warning about the first illegal download, suspend their service temporarily if a second occurred, and then ban them from using the Internet for a third.
“Broadband companies who fail to enforce the ‘three-strikes’ regime would be prosecuted and suspected customers’ details could be made available to the courts,” the Times recounts. “The government has yet to decide if information on offenders should be shared between ISPs.”
