MP Says 'Failed' Piracy Warnings Should Escalate To Fines & Jail

An anonymous reader writes with news that, not long after UK ISPs agreed to send piracy notices (Voluntary Copyright Alerts Program), thoughts have already turned toward adding criminal penalties. From the article: Prime Minister David Cameron's IP advisor believes that the carrot needs to be backed up by a stick. In a report published yesterday largely detailing the "Follow the Money" approach to dealing with pirate sites, Mike Weatherley MP says now is the time to think about VCAP’s potential failure. "The Voluntary Copyright Alert Programme (VCAP) is welcomed and will be a good step forward once it is hopefully in operation in 2015, although it is primarily an education tool," Weatherley says. ... "Warnings and fines are obvious first steps, with Internet access blocking and custodial sentencing for persistent and damaging infringers not to be ruled out in my opinion." These suggestions aren't new, but this is the second time in a matter of months that the Prime Minister's closest advisor on IP matters has spoken publicly about the possibility of putting persistent file-sharers in jail.

Comments

Re:False Warnings?

[Bengie]

Seems simple to me. Find the people in the corp that are responsible for the dept that does such heinous acts, then imprison all of them, all the way up to the top. Take 100% responsibility for your actions and those beneath you. If you don't want to take responsibility, then have a paper-trail backing you up showing that you tried to stop them.

Re:One rule for the plebes another for the politic

[Anonymous Coward]

Little people laws don't apply to "the elite", whether they be government or just rich.

Re:False Warnings?

[Anonymous Coward]

Its not going to happen. The corporations own the government... bought and paid for.