BT, TalkTalk to appeal against digital piracy judgment

LONDON May 27 (Reuters) - British telecom service providers BT Group (BT.L) and TalkTalk (TALK.L) said they would continue their fight against measures to curb illegal file-sharing that could force them to identify persistent offenders.

The two British Internet service providers (ISPs) said on Friday they would appeal against a High Court ruling in April that rejected most of their concerns about the Digital Economy Act (DEA). [ID:nLDE73J1GG]

The act, which is supported by copyright owners in music, film and sport, requires ISPs to identify people that persistently download copyright material.

BT and TalkTalk said the act, which came into force in June 2010, was rushed into law at the tail end of the last parliament and the measures it contained were inconsistent with European Law.

"Quite apart from the potential impact on their businesses, BT and TalkTalk believe the DEA could harm the basic rights and freedoms of ordinary citizens," they said in a statement.

The Department for Media, Culture and Sport said it noted the two companies' decision to apply to the Court of Appeal against the judicial review ruling.

"The Government remains confident that the ruling delivered by the High Court was the correct one and is continuing work to implement the Act accordingly," it said in a statement. (Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Greg Mahlich)