The music industry has launched a fresh legal assault on people accused of illegal file-sharing.

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) is taking legal action against nearly 2,000 song-swappers in 10 countries.

 

The British music industry says illegal file-sharing has cost it £1.1bn over the last three years.

 

Research firm XTN data said that illegal downloads in the UK have increased by 3% to 28% of music downloads since last September.

 

Last year the UK record industry's trade association, BPI, won landmark court cases that resulted in two file-sharers paying thousands of pounds in damages for their online activities.

 

Cheaper prices, the removal of digital rights management (DRM) on tracks, and services that are easier to use would encourage them to move to commercial services, it said.

 

"Clunky software, difficulty in finding tracks and over zealous protection limiting where customers can play music they've bought are continuing to fuel file-sharing," said Greig Harper, founder of XTN Data.

 

The new courts cases are aimed at uploaders, the people who make music available on file sharing networks. The IFPI said they are targeting what it calls persistent file-sharers, who typically upload thousands of music files.

 

If the IFPI wins the cases, the defendants could end up paying compensation of several thousand euros.

 

In Germany, where 542 people have made financial settlements with the music industry, the average payout is 2,670 euros (£1,900).

 

But the IFPI is keen to point out that it is not always the uploader who ends up footing the bill. It has warned parents that they are responsible for their children's online activities.

 

Read the full story at BBC Technology

You got to be careful now, they might start targeting forums like this one and if they find file sharing they might take the owner to court for file sharing or something (or in the case of the babyshambles forum, shut it down). True it's only a small tip in the ocean but still they fine a 14 year old girl for downloading nursey rythmes before...

but can they fine us when we don't share released music or videos? I thought that was a rule or something but that's now illegal too?!

B-sides count as copyrighted material under EU law, unreleased materials do not. Also have you seen that other bands mp3 thread?

You got to be careful now' date=' they might start targeting forums like this one and if they find file sharing they might take the owner to court for file sharing or something (or in the case of the babyshambles forum, shut it down).[/quote']

 

:stunned: Eeek.

 

I dont want this place to get shut down or for Ian to get in trouble or anything! :stunned: :uhoh2: Can they really do that!? I never even think about it...

Ive noticed that about the other bands page and have never used it because the sheer volume of copywritten material shared in there is unreal and really should be stopped UNLESS all material shared in there from now on is unreleased or live.I for one would not like to see this forum get shut or people get into trouble because other people are careless with what they share,I know a lot of people will not be happy with what i said but its the truth and its my opinion and I'm entitled to that.

 

Thanks for listening.

 

Bohs Man.

anyone care to share the soap with me in prison??

Ive noticed that about the other bands page and have never used it because the sheer volume of copywritten material shared in there is unreal and really should be stopped UNLESS all material shared in there from now on is unreleased or live.I for one would not like to see this forum get shut or people get into trouble because other people are careless with what they share,I know a lot of people will not be happy with what i said but its the truth and its my opinion and I'm entitled to that.

 

Thanks for listening.

 

Bohs Man.

 

I second that... I guess it's even more dangerous now. and it truely is getting a bit out of hand in the 'other bands...' thread. :sick:

Mrs. B, I will share the soap with you anyday.

 

Rooowwrrrr.

 

lol :D

Mrs. B, I will share the soap with you anyday.

 

Rooowwrrrr.

 

lol :D

Hahaha, we got some action going on! :wink3:

 

:lol:

now we need a couple of more members and we can have ourselves a party! :lol: