MPs start to 'get it'

Wouldn't it be good if MPs understood the futility of disconnecting alleged copyright infringers because it is so easy for file-sharers to mask their identity and activity?

Wouldn't it be good if MPs acknowledged that illicit file-sharing only costs rights-holders money when people download infringing content in preference to buying it, and that identifying offenders using the IP address of a specific machine may punish those who share a web connection?

Wouldn't it be good if MPs called on the Government to ensure that anyone accused of illicit file-sharing is given the right to legal redress in a court of law before sanctions are imposed?

An early day motion tabled by Labour MP Tom Watson is giving MPs a chance to say they are starting to 'get it', and agree with those 3 points.

The fact that the motion already has from MPs of 5 different parties shows that parliament is starting to wake up to the facts, and take notice of the public demand for fairness and due process. The obvious next step, having understood that enforcement is impossible, that rights holders are not necessarily losing out, and that justice requires fairness, is for an MP to be brave enough to call for the legalisation of not-for-profit file sharing.

MPs who have signed the early day motion so far:

Conservative Party
Peter Bottomley
Philip Davies

Labour Party
Diane Abbott
John Battle
Jeremy Corbyn
Paul Farrelly
John Grogan
Lindsay Hoyle
Chris McCafferty
Tom Watson,
Derek Wyatt

Liberal Democrats
Mike Hanncock
Mark Hunter
John Leech
Adrian Sanders
Jo Swinson, Jo

Plaid Cymru
Adam Price

SDLP
Mark Durkan

The full text of the motion and an up to date list of signatures can be found on the parliament.uk website.