A draft consultation document which has been leaked to The Times reveals that the government is considering plans to cut the internet access of UK-based users who illegally download music and films.

How will these plans be achieved? How will they know what’s being exchanged on the internet without having a speculative nose about in all our file sharing activities? And what an onerous task as well, if, as it is reckoned, there are six million people illegally downloading files in the UK each year. According to OFCOM, 90% of music is downloaded. Naturally, the record industry is welcoming the proposals, maintaining that they lose millions each year through illegal downloads, but the ISPs (internet service providers) will have a huge task on their hands if they’re going to be expected to monitor and police traffic to that extent. They are unlikely to be willing to take it on, especially with the privacy issues it raises.

I don't condone illegal activities, but I’m inclined to think that illegal downloading and file sharing is something that the music industry et al will eventually just have to deal with, by looking at ways of developing alternative revenue streams from it. The music industry has benefited from years of inflated prices over here, with CDs costing twice the amount in the UK than in the US, but bubbles burst eventually, and they aren’t going to be able to remain frozen in time, using ever more draconian methods in an attempt to maintain the status quo.

Instead, they need to think more creatively about the way internet usage is developing and make the most of the opportunities available. Consumers are sending out clear signals about the direction in which they are moving; it could be that the music industry and others impacted by illegal downloading need to start travelling down the same path.

Still, although it is government policy not to comment on leaked documents, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has said that it has developed a comprehensive plan to encourage the UK’s creative industries. Good. It’ll be interesting to see what it has come up with when the Green Paper is launched next week.