Journal: MEPs say no to cutting off file-sharers

The Irish Recorded Music Association is dismissing news that the European Parliament has voted against punishing alleged file sharers by shutting off their internet connection. Record companies had proposed the idea in an effort to discourage music piracy. Since the idea of a 'three strikes and your out' rule for illegal file-sharers was proposed in the UK, it's come in for increasing criticism. A number of Internet Service Providers have said they won't cut off customers found to be engaging in the practice. Today it's reported that MEPs have backed an amendment to a report on creative industries which says that banning people from the internet conflicts with civil liberties and human rights. However a spokesperson for the Irish Recorded Music Association has told Phantom News that today's vote has no legal basis. Recently IRMA called for ISPs to show more responsibility in terms of punishing and weeding out file-sharers. Governments across Europe meanwhile are coming under pressure from the music industry to come up with more concrete ways of dealing with the problem.