PIRATE'S PAY: Illegally downloading could lead to ten years in jail with upcoming law

[Len]

Game of Thrones fans looking to skimp on a Sky subscription to watch the fantasy drama could find themselves in a lot more trouble than they bargained for

GAME of Thrones fans illegally streaming their favourite fantasy drama could face up to ten years in prison under new laws.

The new penalties are set to come into force in nine months after the government took another step in clamping down on internet piracy and pornography.

Last year Thronies looking to save a buck illegally watched the dragon studded romp in their droves making the HBO series the most pirated show of 2016.

Under new powers contained in the Digital Economy Act, which passed through Parliament earlier this year, the penalty for piracy will increase five fold from a maximum of two years to ten in prison.

The act, warns that those downloading or making films or matches available online – by using torrents – will be committing a criminal offence.

It also says the most severe sentences will “only be applied in the most serious of criminal circumstances,” it confirmed in a letter to the Open Rights Group.

That means anyone who accidentally infringes copyright, like re-posting a picture on Twitter which belongs to someone else is unlikely to face charges.

But “intentional” infringement, such as in the case of streaming hundreds or even thousands worth of free films, TV shows and sports programming could be in big trouble.

Other moves contained in the act include porn website visitors having to prove they are over 18 to access adult content from next year, the Government has announced.

Users will have to provide credit card details to get on the site in a bid to protect children from porn content.

Websites flouting the new rules could find a regulator has told their internet service providers to block access to them.

The aim is for all online porn to have age verification by April 2018.