But ISPA, the trade body that represents ISPs, told Techworld that "a number of important practical details" in the implementation of the legislation still need to be agreed.

Pressing for a different course of action to tackle internet piracy, an ISPA spokesperson said: "[A more] effective solution to the problem of users accessing unlawful content is for reform of the licensing framework, so that legal content can be distributed online in a way that consumers are demanding."

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport said it would continue to work with industry on how they can better tackle online piracy.

This is the latest twist in a long-running legal battle over legislation that was under the previous Labour government in 2010. ISPs have fiercely opposed the measures and argue that the rules will cause an invasion of users' privacy, as well as forcing a disproportionate cost onto the ISPs themselves.

While the record and film industries claim the legislation is necessary for the creative sector's survival - a report in 2010 claimed internet piracy cost 10bn and 186,000 jobs in Europe - ISPs have made no secret of their wish not to be involved in 'policing' their customers.