MUMBAI: EMI Records has filed a lawsuit against the Irish government over handling its  anti-piracy laws.

The record label has launched a legal action accusing the country's government of dragging its feet in introducing new laws to combat illegal file sharing.

The Irish government  recently pledged to look into introducing laws that would allow record labels to compel internet service providers to block access to websites that they believe are engaged in piracy.  EMI is concerned that the matter could be delayed again, and that even if a statutory instrument is issued, its contents may not be satisfactory.

Record labels should have the right to demand internet service providers investigate websites they believe are involved in piracy,"EMI Ireland's chief executive Willie Kavanagh told to The Irish times.

He also said that the label doubted that the Irish government had the will to take on illegal file sharers and any planned new laws would be "unlikely to satisfy the music industry's requirement for injunctive relief.

The label has faced a huge lose in terms of profits which has largely caused by the rise of illegal file sharing.