Musicians are opposed to Anti-Sharing Plans.

Fear that many will completely stop listening to music.

The music business with organizations like the RIAA and IFPI in the lead, has long fought a fierce battle against the piracy of music, especially that which is done using file sharing. But in many cases, the argument seemed eyed and distant reality. Many believe that the industry is trying to protect a business model that does not really fit today's reality.

In some countries, including Britain, the government want to introduce laws aimed more to stop this form of piracy. It proposes, among other things, to deprive the most active filesharer Internet access.

It has long been clear that not everyone in the music industry share the views of the RIAA and IFPI. But the measures now proposed in the United Kingdom seems to have gotten more people to come forward with suggestions which votes reflect the attitudes small music industry has largely put behind.

UK Featured Artists' Coalition (FAC), which has a number of famous artists, both as members and the board, believes that such heavy-handed measures will get music fans to turn away from music for good.

In a joint statement with the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors and Music Producers Guild, which is reproduced in its entirety here, go FAC sharply at attack to the new British proposal.

- ... we oppose vehemently the proposals that are made and believes that the whip is about to get way out of proportions compared to the carrot, "says the statements.

Several of the FACS member states to BBC News.

- We do not want to be fans of enemies. The sensible thing to do is to try to see how we can make money on all this file sharing activity, which is a proof that there is great interest in music, "says Dave Rowntree, drummer for Blur.

- We are concerned that, in a time where there is much greater competition for attention, that these proposals would drive young people away from the idea of listening to music, "says Billy Bragg, who also sits in the FAC board.

He adds that many young fans have discovered his music through file sharing, and that they are paying for his music in other ways, such as buying concert tickets.

- We should encourage people to get music fans, and whether we like it or not, illegal downloading encourage people to get music fans, "says Bragg.