The issue of piracy and illegal downloads has been a huge problem since the early days of the internet. The ease with which music tracks can be streamed and downloaded illegally has meant that countless web users evade paying for albums.

The topic of illegal downloads has caused something of a rift in the music consuming community. Many listeners believe that music should be freely disseminated, especially since bands make most of their money from touring anyway. Supporters of illegal downloading claim that record label ‘fat cat’ bosses have earned enough money in the past and do not deserve to profit any more. Some music fans believe that they shouldn’t have to fork out for MP3s of certain albums when they already own the CD or vinyl versions.

The furore surrounding piracy has led to many bands releasing their albums free through newspapers, or allowing fans to pay whatever they see fit, as Radiohead did with In Rainbows in 2007. Of the decision, band member Jonny Greenwood said “"It was an experiment that felt worth trying...[and] it's fun to make people stop for a few seconds and think about what music is worth.”

However, not all bands are so willing to bow to the pressure. Some, along with many fans, believe that they should receive due payment for their work, and that piracy is a breach of intellectual property. The heavy metal band Metallica famously brought a law suit against former illegal download side Napster (which has since become a legitimate company) after they discovered that their entire catalogue was available for free download.

For as long as piracy has been happening, the music industry, government bodies and internet service providers have been keen to clamp down on illegal downloaders. Most recently, six of the UK’s biggest net providers have come to an agreement with the music industry. Negotiated by the government, the deal has been taken up by BT, Orange, Virgin, Tiscali, Carphone Warehouse and BskyB and may mean that persistent file sharers’ broadband connection will be slowed or even terminated. The government plans to send hundreds of thousands of letters to net users they suspect are downloading illegally.

It is a welcome move for the British Phonographic Industry which regulates the music business. Previously the BPI has called for a ‘three strikes’ system whereby persistent offenders would have their internet connections terminated, but many net firms have resisted the suggestions. Following recent developments, BPI’s chief executive Geoff Taylor has said “All of the major ISPs in the UK now recognise they have a responsibility to deal with illegal file-sharers on their network.”

He went on to remark that “The focus is on people sharing files illegally… Musicians need to be paid like everyone else.”

In a similar vein, chief executive of British Music Rights, Feargal Sharkey, said that the developments are “a first step, and a very big step, in what we all acknowledge is going to be quite a long process.”

So with new legislations coming into play, this may be the end of the line for illegal downloading and file sharing. Only time will tell how far-reaching the implications will be for those who persistently break the law.

Justin Drummond,

Chief Executive - Media Corporation plc