Shona Ghosh

British film and TV producers, writers and directors have written to the Times to voice concerns that the creative industry is dying at the hands of illegal film downloaders.

The list includes prominent figures such as Kenneth Branagh, Sir Alan Parker, Ken Loach and Terry Jones among many others.

Their concerns are real enough. The added financial pressure of losing valuable advertising has driven state-owned broadcaster Channel 4 to the brink. Currently the UK Government is considering privatisation, a merge with BBC World Service or further public funding for the service.

Meanwhile, the fate of the British music industry officially hangs in the balance as it fails to adapt fast enough to a growing online userbase. The Irish music industry faces its 6th year of decline, with a drop of 16% in record sales.

Considering the patent need to embrace the digital market, the stance taken by Branagh and co is startling. The letter that appears in the Times is merely pages away from reports of Virgin’s new superfast broadband service. Its press hook? ‘Download a film in three minutes’.

The group has taken a similar position to many music labels early on in the digital debate, calling for

…the Government to show its support by ensuring that internet service providers play their part in tackling this huge problem.

The letter says creative industries are key contributors to the UK economy, and that illegal downloads threaten thousands of film-makers and their sponsors. Like the music industry, it has called for the government to crackdown on ISPs failing to take responsibilty for users’ download activities. The letter ends on a note of draconian menace:

[ISPs] have the power to make significant change and to prevent their infrastructure from being used on a wholesale scale for illegal activity. If they are not prepared to act responsibly, they should be compelled to do so.

Yes, never mind the backlash from consumers. Still, perhaps Branagh is simply expressing what his beloved Bard might have thought about the digital age:

Old fashions please me best; I am not so nice
To change true rules for odd inventions.