File sharers could face 10 years in jail in the UK

The IPO is suggesting that people can be sentenced for up to ten years for online copyright infringement that “affects prejudicially” a copyright holder. While this may sometimes be appropriate, the underlying offence is very broad, and requires no intent on the part of the offender. There is no separation in the offence between different kinds of infringement, which opens the possibility of non-literal copying, such as excessive quotation or incidental use, being the subject of these offences.

We are particularly worried that this could lead to heavy handed punishments for individuals who are sharing files, who may have no intent to harm or cause damage. While such people should be seen as committing a civil offence, they should face more appropriate punishments. By means of comparison, ten years gaol is longer than the maximum penalty of seven years for physical theft, which requires actual intent.

Commercial infringements “In the course of a business” can be much more reasonably targeted by harsher sentences, but here too there are risks as there is no easy way to distinguish between a legitimate business making mistakes and one seeking to abuse the copyright of others for profit.

In all cases, there is scope for exaggeration and misconception of the scale of damage being created. Online infringement is hard to estimate and damages are often assumed to be much higher than in cases of physical infringement. It is therefore much easier for an individual to appear to be “affecting prejudicially” the business interests of another, and find themselves accused of committing a criminal offence with a very long possible gaol sentence. This is inappropriate.”

I agree with their assessment that existing laws have adequate levels of criminal sanctions to deal with large-scale organised copyright infringement. If you agree with their assessment, then let the IP Office know! There is a consultation running until 17 August, closing at 11.45pm. ORG has created a page offering guidelines for those wishing to respond to the consultation. You are of course free to make whichever answer you like, but they recommend that you could include the following talking points:

• I object to the raising the sentence for online criminal copy infringement to 10 years.
• Criminal copyright infringement is unusual, as it does not require “intent” of causing harm. This can be very harsh especially as exaggerated claims of damage are easily be made. The phrase in the offence “affect prejudicially” is vague.
• Until the offence requires intent, long sentences are an inappropriate threat. The IPO should recommend to change the law to require intent.
• Businesses and individuals may refrain from legitimate activities because of the worry of extremely harsh sentences
• There are already criminal offences that deal with organized online infringers such as “conspiracy to defraud’
• Copyright should be enforced, but it should not involve harsher sentences than other kinds of crimes.
• There is no separation in the offence between different kinds of infringement, which opens the possibility of other kinds of copying, such as excessive quotation or incidental use, being included.
• I ask for the sentence to be left as it stands.