A Bradford-based law firm has called for industry and politicians to join forces in order to fight copyright theft over the internet.

Last Cawthra Feather - which also has offices Shipley and Ilkley - said as more people logged onto the web, increased instances of piracy and copyright theft were being reported.

Robert McGough, e-commerce legal specialist with the firm, said: "The music industry is facing its sternest test to date in the face of the technology available to a mass market through the internet."

He said any PC owner could download the latest releases in seconds, breaching the artist's and music company's copyright.

Mr McGough said the EU was currently studying proposals for tighter controls but these would not be implemented until next year. He said: "Progress needs to be made by both the EU and record industry and together they can get a step closer to alleviating this problem."