CEA joins call for action on illegal file-sharing

The CEA has joined with a range of key partners across the film sector and wider creative industries in calling on the Government to do more to ensure that Internet Service Providers take action against those engaged in persistent illegal file-sharing.

A joint statement, issued by a range of organisations from across the creative industries, draws attention to the value of these sectors to the UK economy, not least at a time when many other business sectors are experiencing difficulty.

However, the statement goes on to recognise that that very success  – and the jobs the sectors support – are currently threatened by the problem of illegal file-sharing, a problem which the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have it within their ability to help tackle.

Welcoming early indications that the Government backs moves to require ISPs to warn persistent infringers, the statement asks furthermore that ISPs be required where such behaviour continues to instigate a graduated response, ultimately using techniologicla measures to prevent the possibility of repeat offending, and that this requirement become a central plank of the Government’s forthcoming Digital Britain report.

The joint statement was issued on behalf of: the Cinema Exhibitors’ Association; the Alliance Against IP Theft; The Publishers’ Association; the Producers’ Alliance for Cinema and Television; BPI; Directors UK; the Film Distributors’ Association; the British Video Association; and the Federation Against Copyright Theft, and produced with the backing of: Amicus/Unite; the National Union of Journalists; Equity; the Writer’s Guild; and the Musician’s Union; the Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph; and the Theatre Union.

Commenting on the statement, CEA Chief Executive Phil Clapp said:

‘Now more than ever we need to do all we can to protect the creative industries from such large-scale theft.’

‘The industry is asking that Government ensure that the ISPs play their full part in addressing the problem of persistent and sometimes almost industrial-scale illegal file-sharing.’