Illegal file-sharers beware. The British government is looking at measures to cut off internet access to repeat offenders. In a digital shake-up the government is considering taking enforcement powers away from the broadcasting and telecoms regulator Ofcom. The government said it was part of a crackdown on internet piracy and that illegal file-sharing costs the British economy more than £100 billion a year.

Meanwhile, a political party has been formed in the UK to represent the not-for-profit interests of file-sharers of music and films. The Pirate Party plans to stand at the next General Election and was inspired by the 7% of the popular poll achieved by a similar Swedish party at this year's European elections.

Ministers had earlier proposed slowing the internet connections in a bid to stem the rising tide of illegal video and audiofile-sharing. But ut was deemed this would take too long to implement.

But it may not come without a fight. A similar disconnection law in France was repealed by the country's highest court as "unconstitutional" and British downloaders may argue it contravenes the Human Rights Act.