Matt Bellamy offers file-sharing solution

Muse frontman Matt Bellamy has emailed Lily Allen in response to her claim that musicians should take a stand against illegal file-sharing.

Allen had previously attacked "really rich" musicians in the Featured Artists Coalition for effectively advocating music piracy - a message that apparently provoked Bellamy into offering up his own solution to illegal downloading.

The '22' singer has since posted the email on her MySpace page, in which the 'Uprising' rocker explained his vision for the future of file-sharing.

"My current opinion is that file-sharing is now the norm," Bellamy wrote, adding that internet service providers "are not being taxed by the copyright owners correctly. Broadband makes the internet essentially the new broadcaster. This is the point which is being missed".

He continued: "Also, usage should have a value. Someone who just checks email uses minimal bandwidth, but someone who downloads 1GB per day uses way more, but at the moment they pay the same. It is clear which user is hitting the creative industries and it is clear which user is not, so for this reason, usage should also be priced accordingly.

"The end result will be a taxed, monitored ISP based on usage which will ensure both the freedom of the consumer and the rights of the artists."

Bellamy concluded his message by suggesting that he and Allen meet with business secretary Lord Mandelson to discuss the case further. "We should set up a meeting with Lord Mandelson as he is on this issue at the moment, I'm sure he would meet us for breakfast!"

Patrick Wolf recently declared his support of Allen's attack on the FAC, saying that he had been "really inspired" by her message.