Press Releases
30th July 2008
Federation Supports BPI in Illegal Internet File-sharer Crackdown
Urges further joined-up actions that pack a real punch
‘Warning’ letters are a good first step, but more should be done to bring infringers to account, said John Lovelock, Chief Executive of the Federation Against Software Theft, in response to news that internet service providers (ISPs) are finally approaching users over illegal file-sharing.
Lovelock said, “Intellectual property representative groups, such as The Federation and the BPI amongst countless others have been campaigning for years to get the ISPs to stop illegal file-sharing. However, I believe the ISPs are still not committed enough. Effectively, anyone who illegally file-shares is committing a criminal act, and we want an agreement that has a measure of accountability against such people.
“The current agreement is designed to warn people that their file-sharing is illegal, so the next step is to follow up with sanctions to show that IP owners mean business.”
Research suggests that warning letters will deter 70% of casual illegal fire-sharers. Unfortunately warning letters do not deter the 30% of hard-core pirates out there who make their living out of stealing other people’s digital content, be it music, games, video software or other IP.
Since the implementation of section 97A Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 in 2003, rights holders, such as software developers, music studios, film distributors and other digital content sectors have had the right in law to seek an injunction to force ISPs to take action against internet users who use their connection illegally. When presented with evidence of illegal activity, the court may grant an injunction against the ISPs to act against these users and stop their activity, according to section 97A of the CDPA. Most ISP user contracts state that internet connections are not to be used for illegal activity.
Lovelock continued, “The best route forward is the one demonstrated by The Federation in Operation Tracker 2006 when we detected illegal file-sharers online and moved to protect the software vendors being ripped-off. The Federation obtained written undertakings from many infringers to desist from this behaviour; we achieved settlement payments, and in some cases took perpetrators to court.
“Operation Tracker was a groundbreaking experiment and could have been expanded to even greater effect had other IP bodies decided to look at the bigger picture and join forces to manage a problem that affects us all.
“If the UK wants to live up to its reputation as a creative powerhouse then we need to be strong in protecting our IP as the only effective way forward. It is time to get serious and show crooks the majority of people want them to stop this activity to protect our livelihoods and that theft is theft, full stop.”
About The Federation
The Federation Against Software Theft was formed in 1984 making it the world's first anti-piracy organisation. It is a not-for-profit organisation that is limited by guarantee and wholly owned by its members, and works on many fronts to promote the legal use of software and defend its members' digital rights through education, enforcement, lobbying and promoting standards and best practice in business.
The Federation's own Legal Advisory Group (FLAG), which consists of 30 law firms engaged in IT/IP and operating in the UK and overseas, reinforces legal expertise.
For more information please contact:
Richard Merrin/Richard Warner
Spreckley Partners Ltd
T: 020 7388 9988
E merrin@spreckley.co.uk
Click here for Archive Press Releases and features about The Federation's activities
About FAST
In September 2008 the Federation Against Software Theft and Investors in Software joined forces to deliver a distilled, simplified and unified view of software asset management (SAM) and software license management (SLM) best practice to the end user community. The strength of the two reputable brands encapsulates a holistic approach to driving the professional use of software across the industry and the globe.
The Federation Against Software Theft was formed in 1984 making it the world's first anti-piracy organisation and continues to be a not-for-profit organisation that is limited by guarantee and wholly owned by its members, working on many fronts to promote the legitimate use of software and protect its members. rights through education, enforcement, lobbying and promoting standards and best practice in business.
For more information please contact:
Jared Foley/Richard Merrin
Spreckley Partners Ltd
T: 020 7388 9988
E: foley@spreckley.co.uk
E: merrin@spreckley.co.uk
W: www.spreckley.co.uk