Illegal File Sharers Could Get Cut-off from 2011, Lord Mandelson Says

Lord Mendelson - victim of custard attack from protester

Lord Peter Mandelson’s plans to combat Illegal file sharing online piracy have passed to the next level as the Business Secretary reveals the details of anti-piracy legislation to be enforced.

Mandelson named July 2011 as the date when file sharers could be disconnected if a certain condition is not met – that the level of online piracy decreases by 70 % a year on from April 2010.

The minister pointed out that although illegal file sharers would be cut off as a "last resort", he doesn’t believe there will be many such cases: "Technical measures will be a last resort and I have no expectation of mass suspensions resulting."

He went on saying: "It must become clear that the days of consequence-free widespread online infringement are over."

I think Mandelson's announcement will not be so popular with the UK public and one might think that reactions against the minister as in the picture above could surface again (see photo).