AfterDawn: News

Broadband tax headed to the UK?

According to a The Telegraph report, the Communication Minister in the UK, Lord Carter, is looking to add a "universal levy" to every broadband user's monthly bill that will help compensate "film and music companies for their losses from illegal downloads."

Carter also says that "the entertainment industry - which has lobbied for the fee to be introduced - estimates it will lose £1 billion over the next five years due to piracy".



Sources quoted by the report say however that the plan will not be introduced this year, as there is fear it will slow "universal broadband" adoption "by 2012."

It may not be happening soon, but it appears if Lord Carter and the entertainment industry have their way, every UK resident with cable or DSL Internet will be paying extra every month to compensate for "billions" of dollars in piracy losses faced by the film and music industries.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 26 Jan 2009 22:56

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• 37 comments

• ZippyDSM

  Ok so you are goign to tax and ban them?
  
  Why not tax them and share that money with your corporate masters?
  And let people download what they want...

  26.1.2009 23:00 #1

• Unfocused

  It would seem that all this is going to do is inrease the sales of coffee as everybody is going to head to their local coffee shop with free wifi. Illegal downloading is still going to happen; it is just a matter of who is going to be paying the bill for the connection.

  26.1.2009 23:10 #2

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by Unfocused: It would seem that all this is going to do is inrease the sales of coffee as everybody is going to head to their local coffee shop with free wifi. Illegal downloading is still going to happen; it is just a matter of who is going to be paying the bill for the connection.IMO tax all data storage devices and the internet a blanket 10%, then tell the media mafia they can only go after instances of illicit profit IE making money off the distribution of content without a license, that pretty much fixes all of our problems.

  26.1.2009 23:14 #3

• jos22

  so loose 1 billion in five years and make like 30 billion in 1 year

  26.1.2009 23:42 #4

• jos22

  their next agenda will a listening tax for the 80 billion they loose a year from people over hearing music played through car radios.
  
  don't see why they should be entitled to anything from so called losses they blame on piracy.
  they are just further punishing there few remaining customers.

  26.1.2009 23:47 #5

• outlaw200

  So does this mean that if this tax goes through anybody can download anything they want without any consequences from the UK Government, or the RIAA/MPAA? If that is the case...that will get more people downloading illegally because they are already paying for it. Depending on how much the tax is...it probably will be worth it to d/l every movie immaginable...cheaper than going to the movies.

  26.1.2009 23:50 #6

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by outlaw200: So does this mean that if this tax goes through anybody can download anything they want without any consequences from the UK Government, or the RIAA/MPAA? If that is the case...that will get more people downloading illegally because they are already paying for it. Depending on how much the tax is...it probably will be worth it to d/l every movie immaginable...cheaper than going to the movies.Nope 3 strikes is still in place(or they still want it) and down loaders hunted.
  
  What a messed up racket they haz....

  26.1.2009 23:54 #7

• b18bek9

  What about the just in case u get robbed/mugged tax. Because millions of people get robeed yearly and lose billions as well. But wait they arent worth it only a business which rob's its artists and publishers/writers should get help. I wonder if this bullshiet will slide in the states cuz i'd never purchase any media and download everything illegally if that tax were to happen here.

  27.1.2009 00:01 #8

• outlaw200

  If the three strikes are still in place...then the broadband user is paying a tax for nothing, and the RIAA/MPAA are getting free money from the UK Goverment. Incredible!!!

  27.1.2009 00:04 #9

• eiamhere

  Never happen. If it did though, I'd download as much as I could, then I'd connect to RIAA/MPAA trawling servers and send them it back. Probably write them a letter to brag also.
  
  This could never pass, although it would appear from recent events that the more ridiculous something is the more likely it is to happen (regarding said organisation).

  27.1.2009 03:35 #10

• chinpark9

  If that were to happen, then, my innate honesty would take a dive. As I would then have to recover any monies they took, from pirating film and dvds and software, stuff that my conscience has so far prevented me from doing. What is this? this chap is a lord, so he can pull any crud he likes. And, also probably like those sellers of favours in parliament, the chances are he is in to the music industry to his nostrils.

  27.1.2009 05:45 #11

• plazma247

  So thats £1,000,000,000 devide by 5 = £200,000,000 Per year
  
  60,975,000 people in the uk, devide the figure above by the total number of people gives = £3.2800328003280032800328003280033
  
  Im happy with £3 a year, but...
  
  .... I can bet you it works out to be more like £3 a month minimum, which would total £36 a year.
  
  £36 x by total number of people = £2,195,100,000 x 5 = £10,975,500,000
  
  For Flips Sake, if your going to start taxing broadband access the only darn diddly arn thing I can do diddly do without being tax for is FREKING BREATH !!!

  27.1.2009 05:56 #12

• plazma247

  Anyone would think that the members of the house of lords were susceptible to the od back hander hear and there.
  
  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7852631.stm
  
  lol

  27.1.2009 06:03 #13

• Stu_dent

  Originally posted by plazma247: Anyone would think that the members of the house of lords were susceptible to the old back hander hear and there.
  
  http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7852631.stm
  
  lolThats exactly what i was going to say! lol
  
  I think someone recieved a truck load of money for this load of tripe

  27.1.2009 06:09 #14

• DRokKer

  i think that we should be putting a tax on politicians stupidity.
  far more money in that.
  
  
  Quote:Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and im not sure about the former.
  Albert Einstein

  27.1.2009 06:19 #15

• wiimatrix

  Lord Carter can shove it up his arse.More news papers with brown envolopes inside hey?.Do i get a rebate on national insurance as i am paying for the health care for immigrants??.How do these idiots get these jobs?.

  27.1.2009 06:46 #16

• EvilDeeds

  You know what - bugger em... I've past caring anymore... I will just make sure I send a message to all the artists I have bought CD's/mp3's/gig tickets for with the amount I've spend on each one, and let them know the reason why I've decided to pirate exclusively now... hopefully if enough people do it, we can expect the music industry to start acting less like the mafia, and more like the music biz.... sigh... hopefully kicking Labour out of gov in the next election will send a clear message we are sick of having our rights stripped away, while being raped of more and more money via hidden taxes.

  27.1.2009 09:40 #17

• plazma247

  http://www.afterdawn.com/news/archive/13023.cfm
  
  hhaa, thats if brown ever allows us to vote again, its not as if he was keen on it last time someone mentioned an election lol, mind its not the house of commons thats in debate here, its the house of lords.
  
  But it doesnt matter what we all say and complain they will just shaft us anyway.
  
  What the problem needs is for us all to do the same thing at the same time, instead of letting them sit back and laugh as a few of us try and rock the boat with little or no effect, united we stand.... alas they work very strongly on the fact its more likely its we are devided and we fall.

  27.1.2009 10:49 #18

• wdtv

  Doesn't matter, the world is supposed to come to an end in 2012.

  27.1.2009 11:04 #19

• plazma247

  haha, thats on interpiration, another its a time of choice.
  
  So we should just all give up and wait for the end....? Maybe instead of worring about 2012 and waiting for planet x,y and z we could all just do something about the now...

  27.1.2009 11:09 #20

• wiimatrix

  wdtv is correct,well if we are governed by a "new world order".

  27.1.2009 11:30 #21

• monkijin

  just another excuse to make more money by taxing us.
  whats next fresh air tax/washing line tax for people who dry their washing without using some sort of energy...lol...
  getting a bit fed up with the overtaxed uk (blame it on the recesion)
  
  

  In My Recurring Dream i Die in my Car What Does it Mean

  27.1.2009 11:42 #22

• ThePastor

  So, let me get this straight. They are going to tax you a set price. Give that money to the MPAA for "profits lost" and the MPAA is going to do what with it?
  Give it to the artists?
  How do you divvy it up? Every artist gets an equal amount? So, I could become an "artist" by signing with a lable... produce one piece of crap song that no one buys and get "my fair share" of the tax???
  You know, there is a similar tax on VHS tapes in the form of "required Macrovision". This drove up the price of the video and of the players and ultimately solved NOTHING!
  Isn't socialism grand?

  27.1.2009 18:34 #23

• ZippyDSM

  Originally posted by ThePastor: So, let me get this straight. They are going to tax you a set price. Give that money to the MPAA for "profits lost" and the MPAA is going to do what with it?
  Give it to the artists?
  How do you divvy it up? Every artist gets an equal amount? So, I could become an "artist" by signing with a lable... produce one piece of crap song that no one buys and get "my fair share" of the tax???
  You know, there is a similar tax on VHS tapes in the form of "required Macrovision". This drove up the price of the video and of the players and ultimately solved NOTHING!
  Isn't socialism grand?No no the media mafia keeps it for themselves since they are the farmers and producers of media..the artists are merely cows that if lucky get some money from them.

  27.1.2009 18:36 #24

• chinpark9

  I do not suppose anyone could tell me exactly when, in 2012, this thing is supposed to happen!! I am a busy person, and it would greatly help my calculations and appointments, if there was a day that I could work to.

  27.1.2009 18:41 #25

• beanos66

  every penny I don't spend on cd's is a penny I'm not giving to record execs and artists to spend on coke and weed
  
  now the goverment is going to force me to feed their habit
  
  lord carter, junky enabler

  27.1.2009 19:27 #26

• wiimatrix

  @chinpark9 i think its on the 12th day of the 12th month 12/12/12

  28.1.2009 02:37 #27

• plazma247

  RIAA
  http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=CsHMNSqbGkU
  
  http://www.survive2012.com/
  http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cH6ig9Xgq3s
  more on 2012.
  
  The end or all cycles or the start of a new one, or maybe its just they had sat there for years calculating future calendars and couldnt be bothered to go past the 12 of december 2012.
  
  more on nwo:
  http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7a9Syi12RJo

  28.1.2009 07:04 #28

• KingBasil

  Maybe Lord Carter has been paid by the industry to facilitate a change in the law.
  
  Yes, that happens in "Great Britain":
  
  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/4401188/...aw-changes.html

  1.2.2009 08:36 #29

• chinpark9

  Was this fellow born a lord, or did he buy it, like all those other dogooders?
  I will follow the example of my ancestors and go outside and do a raindance, Maybe, just maybe, my wishes will be answered

  1.2.2009 17:47 #30

• blaster4

  There is a tax on blank media here in the Netherlands, so same principle. You pay the tax and get no benefit whatsoever. It's still illegal to download stuff and burn to disc.
  I just wonder who exactly is the recipient of all this collected tax money. Does the government send a million to Sony each month and a million to Warner and a million to each of the other music and film companies direct? I suppose they would need these funds to keep the stars happy and able to buy their 5th and 6th houses and to be able to keep up with the other stars by upgrading to the newest jet, or maybe buy another 2 helicopters. And surely it's time to replace their limousines, they'll need the extra money for that too.
  My heart bleeds for the film and music companies when they are in such dire straits. We shouldn't really complain about this, we should instead pass the hat round for contributions. Come on now, dig deep, it's all for a good cause!

  2.2.2009 11:02 #31

• chinpark9

  All those of you with millions could do worse than waste your money. You could invest in a title. Scuttlebutt is, a thousand for an mbe, and going up in grades to a million + to be a lord. Or else, do it like that chap, banished to europe for having free money and a big mouth, and going to South America for his kicks, and now returned with a title ' lord something or other of somewhere or other, probably brazil. Then, armed with this ticket, just imagine the harm you could do to the grassroots, like me, whose only existence is for being trampled upon.

  2.2.2009 12:10 #32

• jinnek45

  Just remember this ditty,
  "The working class can kiss my arse, I've got the ermine on at last."
  Yes, no doubt the cleaner than clean, whiter than white Lord Carter will have had his palm greased to put this up.
  Made a peer by that well known war criminal, Tony Blair,in 2004. At least no one died for that.
  Best man to Jack, the commie, Straw.

  3.2.2009 10:05 #33

• ianla

  According to the Telegraph we've now got a government minister basically accusing every broadband and cable user in the U.K. of being a thief or potential thief.
  
  I hope his evidence is up to scratch, because it would make one hell of a class action against her majesties government.
  
  The way it's going we'll soon have to pay a tax to compensate the industry for not buying a cd or dvd because we think its crap.

  3.2.2009 10:23 #34

• plazma247

  It does seam funny that because say maybe 10% (made up figure, guess) of the population probably download the odd bit of music or film now n then and the remaining percentage wont know how to download something illegally if it hit them in the face. So then the industry have decided were all cyber terrorist hell bent on destroying their once money making business model of the 80's (post CDR's).
  
  Now they know it’s too late, doom is on the door knocking away and waiting collect the tatters of what has been one of the biggest price fixing industries of all time. So like a cat backed to a wall trying to avoid a bath they want blood and are most likely going to draw some if it kills them, they call their entire customer base and blame it all on us.
  
  Its like saying a few children probably hang around in bus shelters drinking diamond white at an under age, this obviously hurts the interests of a well know cola company that has lost sales due to them illegally drinking alcohol. So we should pay them back for all the fizzy pop they didn’t sell and see every child as potential threat and put a further charge on top of the alcohol everyone else drinks.
  
  Maybe if they had spent as much on making a better business model as they had spent trying to protect the one that started to die over 15 years ago. To declare from the water flooded bowls of the ship which has now nearly sank past water line they that all is not lost is well funny to say the least.
  
  So let them lobby and throw money away trying to get this passed, in the middle of a global credit crunch which is set to last the next 3 - 5 years, maybe by then they will have had to just give in and go the hell home and eventually just accept the inevitable truth, its over for them and was a long time ago.
  
  Were sick of paying for the same track on yet another over priced mix CD in a different track order to the one we were sold last week. Don’t forgetting all the manufactured and regurgitated bands that get a chance when the small time hopefuls have to watch their dreams die.
  
  Were sick of the lack of creative films where best attempts are to make yet another remake of a film that was best left as it was, how long before another badly made shark movie, I ask you.
  
  Were sick hearing them all moan because the cash cow that was once the golden age of film and music industry got the flu and isn’t getting better.
  
  I SAY MAYBE IT’S TIME TO CALL THE VET AND PUT IT DOWN!!

  4.2.2009 02:57 #35

• DIGIXCESS

  lol thats crazy!
  
  By doing that - they're basically saying its ok to download films, music etc... because we're paying for it!
  
  Surely they need to rethink this one

  7.2.2009 04:54 #36

• chinpark9

  As it happens, they think we're stupid, we think they are crooks, just about evens out, in my opinion. If it was not for the fact that they are able to holp themselves directly from our pockets, this would be a farce.So that, one of the questions must be, " Who should we have more faith in, the Lord who got there heading big business,or the one who got there by being a keen grocer, or the one who merely got there through coitus noninterruptus!!!!

  7.2.2009 08:23 #37