Great Britain: Internet users could be banned over illegal downloads

The Times (U.K.) ^ | February 12, 2008 | Francis Eliott

[Stoat]

Also from the BBC:

BBC NEWS Business Illegal downloaders 'face UK ban'

 

If the law were enacted it would turn ISPs, like BT, Tiscali and Virgin, into a pro-active net police force
 

Darren Waters, technology editor BBC News website

 

 

Internet providers are no more able to inspect and filter every single packet passing across their network than the Post Office is able to open every envelope,
 

Internet Service Providers Association

[agere_contra]

Other high-profile elements include a pledge that children will be entitled to five hours of culture a week overseen by a new youth culture trust.

I know the article is about ISPs and file download, but this kind of jumped out at me as the largest and most cretinous boondoggle that I have ever had to pay for.

[ShadowAce]

[Stevieboy]

Coming soon: Everyone will be required to apply for a license to use the Internet because it’s a privilege, not a right, and governments everywhere could really use the cash to teach us all how to distinguish between good content and bad.

[PeterFinn]

Just another excuse to expand the British police state.

[Stoat]

Other high-profile elements include a pledge that children will be entitled to five hours of culture a week overseen by a new youth culture trust.

I know the article is about ISPs and file download, but this kind of jumped out at me as the largest and most cretinous boondoggle that I have ever had to pay for.

And then the muzzies will complain that the "persecution" they face is due to an "insufficient" amount of time given to Government Culture Indoctrination, and so it will be doubled.

And then the homosexuals will complain that they are still being discriminated against, and it will be doubled again.

And our dear British Friends will be forced to pay for it all.

"sigh"

Other high-profile elements include a pledge that children will be entitled to five hours of culture a week overseen by a new youth culture trust.

I know the article is about ISPs and file download, but this kind of jumped out at me as the largest and most cretinous boondoggle that I have ever had to pay for.

[Stoat]

Other high-profile elements include a pledge that children will be entitled to five hours of culture a week overseen by a new youth culture trust.

I know the article is about ISPs and file download, but this kind of jumped out at me as the largest and most cretinous boondoggle that I have ever had to pay for.

And then the muzzies will complain that the "persecution" they face is due to an "insufficient" amount of time given to Government Culture Indoctrination, and so it will be doubled.

And then the homosexuals will complain that they are still being discriminated against, and it will be doubled again.

And our dear British Friends will be forced to pay for it all.

"sigh"

Other high-profile elements include a pledge that children will be entitled to five hours of culture a week overseen by a new youth culture trust.

I know the article is about ISPs and file download, but this kind of jumped out at me as the largest and most cretinous boondoggle that I have ever had to pay for.

[ShadowAce]

Everyone will be required to apply for a license to use the Internet because it’s a privilege, not a right,

The British already require a license to *own* a TV.

[Stoat]

WHOOPS! Sorry about the double post.

[crazycat]

and just what are the Chinese going to do....Not so long ago the Chines “stole” an entire CD/DVD factory, from I think Philips.....they let them build it, then just shipped all the equipment out....

Gordon Brown is well known as a control freak, so he will love doing this.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

Didn’t Howard Dean already propose something like that here in the US? (not kidding)

[Stoat]

Thank you very much for pinging your list  :-)

[Stevieboy]

The British already require a license to *own* a TV.

Surely you jest? Not that I wouldn't believe it.

[ShadowAce]

Nope. I’m perfectly serious. What I’m not certain about is whether owning a TV without paying the license is a civil or criminal offense. I *think* I’ve heard of jail sentences for it.

[TruthConquers]

“Other high-profile elements include a pledge that children will be entitled to five hours of culture a week overseen by a new youth culture trust.”

That sounds just like the Hitler Youth crap. Yikes!!!
And I bet it will NOT be high in real culture.

[BossLady]

Shades of “V for Vendetta”! :o

[Stoat]

Coming soon: Everyone will be required to apply for a license to use the Internet because it’s a privilege, not a right, and governments everywhere could really use the cash to teach us all how to distinguish between good content and bad.
 

So then when The UK Times newspaper offers a free MP3 download...and in order to obtain that download I am forced to supply an email address....and when I supply a fake email address because I don't want to be spammed, have I broken the law because I've "subverted the legal acquisition process" ?

And when I put that same mp3 file up on the Bit Torrent network or share it via another P2P, have I also broken the law?

[TalonDJ]

Coming soon: Everyone will be required to apply for a license to use the Internet because it’s a privilege, not a right, and

You do realize that in the UK you already have to have a license just to own a TV or a radio? Even if the TV is not hooked up to cable or an antenna and is only used for videos you still need a license to have it.

[Stoat]

The British already require a license to *own* a TV.

FYI

TVL - Welcome to TV Licensing

Do I need a licence?
	You need a TV Licence to use any television receiving equipment such as a TV set, set-top boxes, video or DVD recorders, computers or mobile phones to watch or record TV programmes as they are being shown on TV. If you use a set-top box with a hi-fi system or another device that can only be used to produce sounds and can't display TV programmes, and you don't install or use any other TV receiving equipment, you don't need a TV Licence.
	How much does it cost?
	A colour TV Licence costs £135.50 and a black and white licence costs £45.50.

[TheMightyQuinn]

People who illegally download films and music will be cut off from the internet

What a wonderful idea! It should be expanded:

Get caught stealing food: banned from grocery stores and restaurants! /sarcasm