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The Government has stated that it is planning to sever broadband connections as a strategy to fight illegal file sharing on the internet. This has caused a flutter among a number of rival internet service providers (ISPs) and have made them come together to draft a letter.

This letter drafted by Ed Mayo of Consumer Focus, Deborah Prince of Which?, Charles Dunstone of TalkTalk, Tom Alexander of Orange UK, Ian Livingston of BT and Jim Killock of Open Rights Group came out in The Times, and it took on the Government’s plans of lessening illegal transferring of files.

Their main argument was that the users of broadband and the ISPs should not be made liable for the acts of a few people, since most users do not indulge in such unlawful transfer of files and therefore this measure is completely unjust.

Charles Dunstone, CEO of TalkTalk has further asked all key content providers to join hands with ISPs in the UK to think of a better way by which they can address the Government. He also declared TalkTalk’s commitment on this issue, stating that they will not stop in their efforts of protecting the rights of users and prevent such a measure to be adopted, one that is outside the purview of the judiciary as well.

They all elaborated that creative industries play an undeniable role in the nation and that such a measure clearly sabotages all consumer rights of users and hinders development of better and more advanced services.

The letter has stated that users cannot be held liable until proved, until which time they are innocent, and that a kangaroo court procedure must be averted at all costs, as neither is the evidence tested in such courts nor are users who have been accused given any rights to protect themselves against such dubious allegations. In the absence of such rights, all innocent users will have to face misery.