Swedish internet service providers may in future be made responsible for banning customers who illegally download and share copyright-protected material, a report to the Swedish justice minister said on Monday.
Judge Cecilia Renfors said the ban would not come into question for "the odd occasion or a few times a year" but entailed large-scale file sharing.
The copyright owner rather than the internet service provider would also be responsible for tracking illegal file sharers, and failure by the file sharer to comply could lead to a court case and damages, Renfors said.
Renfors was commissioned by Justice Minister Beatrice Ask to look into means to tighten legislation and copyright protection of music and film against the backdrop of peer-to-peer hubs where users up- and download copyright-protected material.
The Scandinavian country of nine million people is one of the world's most wired countries and many households have access to high speed broadband services.
Renfors ruled out a proposal to introduce a special broadband fee as one means of compensating music companies or film producers who claim the illegal file-sharing strips them of income.
A special group from the cabinet offices, the copyright holders and internet providers could also be formed to disseminate information and make it easier to buy film and music off the internet. Renfors noted that the infringements reduced interest in investing in legal options for buying music files or films.
-DPA
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