Michael Jackson has slammed a proposed US bill which could see music file traders jailed for downloading just one illegal copy.

In a statement, the superstar said: "I am speechless about the idea of putting music fans in jail for downloading music. It is wrong to illegally download, but the answer cannot be jail.

"Here in America we create new opportunities out of adversity, not punitive laws, and we should look to new technologies like Apple's new Music Store for solutions.

"This way, innovation continues to be the hallmark of America. It is the fans that drive the success of the music business."

Last week Congressmen Howard Berman and John Conyer (both Democrats) teamed up introduce the Authors, Consumer and Computer Owners Protection and Security Act of 2003 (ACCOPS Act).

This legislation would, as El Reg's Thomas Greene wrote, "simply assume that any P2P activity with a copyrighted file involves more than ten copies and represents a retail value of $2,500, automatically making it a felony and bringing in the possibility of incarceration. That's ten copies and a minimum of $2,500 assumed per individual file, we believe."

This is too whacko even for Jacko. Surely, the bill won't make it through the House? ®

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