Lord Mandelson had announced the impending news that many in the music industry knew was inevitable. Persistent illegal file sharers will be cut off from the Internet.

We’ve been critical of this measure not because we don’t agree with the sentiment just because the problem is one that cannot be solved for good. OK - you can stop some bedroom kid from constant file hoarding, sure, but the reality is that if hardcore pirates want to get free music they will always be able to get it.

Kicking off in 2010, Mandelson told the Digital Creative Industries, that measurements will be in place and persistent abusers will (starting 2011) be cut-off!

It’s taken some ten years for the issue to be recognised as a major problem and for this type of action to be taken but you only need to look ahead to imminent technologies, better mobile devices and the whole mobile internet explosion about to kick in (as one obvious evolution) to see that this will unfortunately be an on-going problem. Legislation, by the very way it is made, will always be lagging behind the technology in this industry.

Despite reports over the years insisting that those that download illegally actually buy more music the reality is there are so many ways to now try before you buy that this argument is out-dated. With more investment in explaining the importance of the music making process, the revenue it creates as a contributor to our society and the fact that on an individual level many artists really need that cash, the better!

Lets hope continued education in this area drives a cultural change and the majority continue to buy music rather than steal it. Don’t hold your breath.

GYEO