Reports earlier today stated that Jeremy Hunt MP was opposed to Peter Mandelson's proposals for cutting off internet use for file-stealing music and film online. They were embellished with Jeremy's very reasonable statement about not wishing to criminalise the kid who puts up a family video on YouTube and soundtracks it with a snippet from the Beatles.
Those that follow me on Twitter will be aware of my running dispute with Labour MP Tom Watson over protecting the work of musicians and filmmakers online.
I'm delighted to be able to say, therefore, that today's ToryDiary and media reports misrepresented Jeremy's position. He clarified at a Conservatives for the Creative Arts and Industries event, focussing on advertising, which I attended this evening. When asked about the Tories apparent shift in position, Jeremy clarified that the Financial Times headline did not reflect the content of the interview. The Conservatives have no objection to Mandelson's proposals to cut off internet access - for the worst offenders. Rather, in giving the example of a film parody or a YouTube video with a soundtrack, Jeremy is looking at separating out innocent use of cultural references from blatant ripping off of music and film; in other words, an expansion of what the law currently considers "fair use". Once we have decided what we think should be allowable, there are other, more creative ways to block serious copyright theft.
Appropriately, in a fascinating advertising-centered meeting where "Nudge theory" was discussed, Jeremy mentioned his discussions with ISPs; making "Do you want your service blocked from sites that may encourage illegal downloading" the default setting when establishing ISP use would block 70% or more of current file-stealing, as parents who pay the bill simply prevent kids who illegally download from having access; sure, as he said, some people would uncheck the box, some geeks would get around these measures; but vast amounts of abuse could be eliminated simply by default. (Personally, I would compare this to use of soft drugs, for example; some people always will, but that's no reason not to police it.) For the worst, wholesale thieves, he said, he had no problem with Mandelson's proposals.
