Deep joy - the Govt wants to charge us £20pa on behalf of the music industry

[Rik]

We'll probably find the Peter Mandelson Benevolent Fund in the list.

[Sebby]

I'd be worried if there was no mention of it.

[trophymick]

I don't, and never have downloaded music, but....................................
£20 per annum is not a lot, but if you don't download, what are you paying for Living in a cave seems like a good option or be a Pikey
Thieving scum bags   (the government not Pikey's )

[Rik]

It seems, as mooted, Mick, to be a tax on the law abiding to compensate third parties for those who break the law. Hardly just, imo.

[vitriol]

Makes you wonder who the real pirates are !!!

[Rik]

Start with Brown and radiate...

[john]

If you read the second paragraph :

The agency would act as a broker between music and film companies and internet service providers (ISPs). It would provide data about serial copyright-breakers to music and film companies if they obtained a court order. It would be paid for by a levy on ISPs, who inevitably would pass the cost on to consumers.

This to me sounds like they are going to charge to police the prosecution of copyright-breakers. If there are still going to be copyright-breakers then it does not sound like they are going to let you download all you want for £20.

[Dopamine]

I wonder how keen the government will be to continue with this course of action when the porn industry decides that it's only fair that it is treated as fairly as the music and film industries? Piracy of legitimate porn dwarfs in scale that of music.

I can just imagine the headlines: "Brown supports pornography protection agency"

[Simon]

Good point, Dopamine!

[kinmel]

Piracy of legitimate porn dwarfs in scale that of music.

It apparently makes much bigger profits than the "real" Hollywood and uses piracy as a no cost advertising medium.