UK government publishes interim Digital Britain report

Yesterday's publication of the interim Digital Britain report in the UK wasn't quite a damp squib, but most of the key elements had already leaked out, so it wasn't a surprise.The government says it will explore the potential for a Rights Agency to oversee efforts to combat online piracy of copyrighted material, although it also stresses the need for “innovative legitimate services” and consumer education.It also says ISPs will be required to collect anonymous information on serious repeat infringers, to be made available to rights-holders with personal details if required to do so by a court order.The BPI and UK Music were quick to react to the interim report, and both weren't exactly resounding endorsements. BPI boss Geoff Taylor welcomed the idea of ISPs being required by law to warn file-sharers, but wanted it to go further.”It is hard to see how letter-sending alone will achieve the aim of significantly reducing file-sharing which the government has set itself,” he said. “The interim report proposes targeted lagel action against the most significant infringers but few people believe that the answer lies in suing consumers. We believe that proportionate measures taken by ISPs would be more effective.”UK Music boss Feargal Sharkey agreed, [...]