The UK’s Peter Mandelson says that parents and other internet account holders must pay for illegal downloads of copyright material. But, in a move typical of the Labour party’s pandering to vested interests and potentially large supporters, the rights will be enforced in favour of the film and music industries. Independent producers of other copyright materials will be left out in the cold.
The move has dubious legality in any case: in principle, it is the same as the owner of a car being held liable for actions taken by a driver who uses it with the owner’s consent but the owners is not present.
Under Mandelson’s scheme, internet account holders will be liable if a user downloads covered copyright material.
Read more on The Chief Officers’ Network