The record and movie companies want security outfits to install software into their virus checkers that will scan your hard-drive for copyrighted content.

The daft idea is on the wish list of the MPAA which believes that security companies will go along with it. After all I will rush out and buy a virus checker that tells big content what I have on my hard-drive. However the MPAA and RIAA have sent a response to the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator that would call for software to spy on users for potential piracy.

Officially the software would be called tools for "managing copyright infringement" and it would block or report copyrighted material it finds. In addition to this bizzare request there is the usual call for the public hanging drawing and quartering of pirates and for ISPs to automatically filter connections.

The movie studios want the US government to randomly inspect electronics going over the border, and to put pressure on companies that don't follow US copyright laws by threatening to make piracy a central issue of talks. Studios would even want police agencies to work on their behalf by timing their plans around major movie releases. Of course this only applies to its industry. If anyone else wanted the same treatment they would not get it.