The report, authored by Swedish Justice Department investigator Cecilia Renfors, proposed a change in Swedish law so that ISPs would be obliged to take action to terminate the contracts of certain users who repeatedly use their connection to infringe copyright. This obligation could be enforced in court by copyright holders.

“It is proposed that the law be amended so that Internet Service Providers can be ordered, under penalty of a fine, to take action such as terminating the contract of a subscriber to prevent continued infringement using the Internet Service Provider’s services," the report, entitled ‘Music and Film on the Internet - Threat or Opportunity?’ stated, according to the IFPI.

The document was compiled following a request from Sweden’s Justice Minister, who is keen to improve the country’s intellectual property laws and promote the development of consumer-friendly legal services for access to music and film online.

John Kennedy, Chairman and CEO of IFPI, observed that:

“This is a clear call for ISPs to take more responsibility in curbing copyright infringement on their networks, and it comes from a country that is on the very front line in the fight to protect music and films from internet piracy. We wholeheartedly endorse the recommendation and hope it will be taken very seriously in Sweden and further afield.”

The IFPI promotes the interests of the international recording industry worldwide. Its membership comprises some 1,400 major and independent companies in more than 75 countries. It also has affiliated industry national groups in 49 countries.