When asked, 98% of respondents said that they didn't think increasing prison sentences for people caught distributing copyrighted works was appropriate. The government will, however, push forward with harsher penalties for those caught for this crime. Expect to serve the same as a rapist or someone who threatens someone with a loaded gun.

The British government says that it has a global reputation for a zero tolerance on copyright infringement. Something the government is keen to continue on with, even if the loses stated by the industry are massively overblown.

Of course there is a need to separate out the sort of Game of Thrones infringement most people have, at some point, partaken in and the wholesale theft and distribution of content for profit. And, no doubt, the people selling bootlegged movies for profit deserve some sort of punishment. But it does need to be proportionate. In most cases, a month in the slammer and removal of their profits and equipment would probably suffice.

Of course, when it's estimated that creative industries add nearly £85bn to the UK economy it stands to reason that the lobby protecting that would also have a loud voice too. Certainly such copyright infringement should be dissuaded, but no government ever looks at the reason people seek unauthorized access to TV, music and movies.

Via: Ars Technica UKhttp://www.ibtimes.co.uk/uk-government-wants-punish-online-pirates-10-year-jail-sentences-1556234