Press Release

MP CALLS FOR LEGISLATION ON ISPs

8 April 2008

Perth and North Perthshire MP, Pete Wishart, has today [Tuesday] called for Government legislation to tackle illegal file-sharing following ISP, Talk Talk’s, reluctance to enact industry-wide voluntary regulation. Charles Dunstone, Head of Talk Talk – the UK's third biggest ISP and part of the Carphone Warehouse group, maintained that his company would refuse to co-operate despite threats of legal action.

Former musician, Mr Wishart recently introduced a Private Member's Bill to extend the payment of royalties to musicians.

Mr Wishart said:

“If ISPs are reluctant to help deal with illegal file sharers, then the Government must act to oblige them. The Government have challenged the ISPs to participate in voluntary regulation or face legislation. Charles Dunstone has put up two fingers to the idea of a voluntary approach and the Government must now respond.

"What we have got to remember is that this is illegal. Musicians and creators are being robbed and ripped off and others are profiting from their work. If Talk Talk were informed about sites that accommodated gangsterism or property theft, they would be obliged to take those sites down immediately. But as usual it’s the same old tired response, that because it’s music and intellectual property it’s fair game.

"Musicians, artists and rights holders are sick of being treated like second class citizens in law. If we are serious about growing our creative industries and making them world class, we have to ensure that intellectual property is respected and that intellectual property crime is treated as real crime.

"I know that Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, is currently looking at this, but we may already have our answer from the ISPs. What I want to see is a timetable for totally binding voluntary regulation or for the Government to bring forward detailed plans for legislation at the earliest opportunity to protect our artists and our creative industries.”

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