London - With the U.K. government considering whether or not to make Internet service providers cut off service to customers who repeatedly engage in illegal file-sharing, a new report issued in the country suggest that 70% of consumers there would stop such actions if they received a warning from their ISP. The 2008 Digital Entertainment Survey, conducted by Entertainment Media Research and commissioned by U.K. media law firm Wiggin LLP, further found that the percentage of users who would cease illegal file-sharing rises to 78% among male teenagers.

"Fear of being caught is a strong theoretical deterrent but most pirates believe it's unlikely they will be prosecuted," said Russell Hart, CEO of Entertainment Media Research.

"If pirates themselves say that a direct warning from their ISP is the most effective measure, then this reinforces current thinking to combat piracy with an ISP strategy."

The U.K. government recently indicated that it will legislate ISP policing of file-sharing next year if ISPs and copyright owners are not able to come to some agreement.

The French government also recently established rules that compel ISPs to cut off Internet access to customers that repeatedly engage in illegal file-sharing.

Related Links:
http://snipurl.com/20yw4

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117981753.html

http://snipurl.com/20yuq (Ars Technica)

http://www.wiggin.co.uk