UK File Pirates Could Lose Net Privileges

Legislation proposed in the UK would disconnect from the Internet people who illegally download or share files. Under a plan to be recommended in a paper from the government's Department of Media, Culture and Sport, file pirates will face a "three strikes" policy—the first offense gets an email, the second service suspension, and the third Internet disconnection, reports the Guardian.

Internet providers that fail to cut off offending customers could face prosecution. "There are still meetings going on and consultation to take place, so nothing is finalized. The strategy document is to be released within the next couple of weeks," says a department spokesman. The paper that suggests the new laws will also recommend other plans to improve "cultural industry" in the UK. (More illegal downloading stories.)