Britain just decriminalised online game piracy

CPC_RedDawn · July 22, 2014

http://www.vg247.com/2014/07/22/britain-just-decriminalised-online-game-piracy/

The British government has decriminalised online video game, music and movie piracy, scrapping fuller punishment plans after branding them unworkable.

Starting in 2015, persistent file-sharers will be sent four warning letters explaining their actions are illegal, but if the notes are ignored no further action will be taken.

The scheme, named the Voluntary Copyright Alert Programme (VCAP), is the result of years of talks between ISPs, British politicians and the movie and music industries.

The UK’s biggest providers – BT, TalkTalk, Virgin and Sky – have all signed up to VCAP, and smaller ISPs are expected to follow suit.

VCAP replaces planned anti-piracy measures that included cutting users’ internet connections and creating a database of file-sharers.

Geoff Taylor, chief executive of music trade body the BPI, said VCAP was about “persuading the persuadable, such as parents who do not know what is going on with their net connection.”

He added: “VCAP is not about denying access to the internet. It’s about changing attitudes and raising awareness so people can make the right choice.”

Officials will still work to close and stem funding to file-sharing sites, but the news appears to mean that the British authorities have abandoned legal enforcement of online media piracy.

Figures recently published by Ofcom said that nearly a quarter of all UK downlaods were of pirated content.

Whilst I have in the past pirated certain forms of media, If I like something I always put my money down and buy it. I think if developers offered proper demos of games or a trial period (try before you buy) then it would kill off SOME of the people who pirate games to see if they run on their system or to see if they are any good.

Music piracy is rife, and I believe that if it wasn't for Itunes coming a long when it did, the music industry would of crashed and burned a long time ago. Movies are another thing, they are trying to give us gimmicks we simply don't need like 3D which does look good in some movies but in most its just silly and tacked on.

We need lower prices at the movies, MUCH lower prices. I went to see the new Robocop movie and for me and my girlfriend it came to a grand total of £25 ($42.67) we only had two tickets, and 1 drink between us. The movie would of cost more if it were in 3D as well!

Askew · July 22, 2014

this the second repostavo today

http://linustechtips.com/main/topic/183403-uk-anti-piracy-action-set-to-begin/

XTankSlayerX · July 22, 2014

This is good imo. I feel like piracy isnt becuase of people who are cheapskates but people who want to try out products and spend their hard earned cash well.