Business secretary Vince Cable has announced a fresh clampdown on illegal downloading with a New Year government campaign to educate consumers about the harm illegal downloading can do.
The government is collaborating with partners including the City of London police on the venture, which aims to crack down on internet piracy and intellectual property theft.
Cable said the measures amounted to “a step change in the way the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) delivers services”, adding: "Our creativity, our openness to and talent for innovation, is a key pillar of our return to robust growth. So it is right we work to create the environment in which creative, innovative businesses of all shapes and sizes flourish...
“A vital part of this is making sure the intellectual property landscape encourages and cements success and growth."
The campaign will be launched in spring 2013 and will focus on young people in schools, theme parks and on the web.