Software P2P: Crackdown in UK

The tide against file-sharers in the UK appears to be getting stronger, at least for those sharing software files. [Music file-sharers in France and South Korea are reportedly getting some legal breaks (see the 2nd paragraph of "P2P legal news update," 1/20.] The UK's High Court has ordered 10 Internet service providers, including BT and NTL, "to hand over the details of 150 UK customers accused of illegally sharing software," the BBC reports, adding that "over the next two weeks, they are expected to provide the names, addresses and other personal details of the alleged file-sharers" for prosecution. This development follows a 12-month investigation by the UK-based Federation Against Software Theft. The BBC cites the Business Software Alliance, an international anti-piracy trade group, as saying that "about a quarter of software used in the UK is an unlicensed, counterfeit or pirated copy."