Six of the UK's largest ISPs are set to announce today that they've signed up to a government-backed initiative that's designed to clamp down on music piracy.
Top broadband suppliers to announce BPI deal
The broadband suppliers – believed to be BT, Virgin, Carphone Warehouse, Orange, Tiscali and Sky – are expected to reveal details of a memorandum of understanding they've signed with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) that will result in the ISPs sending warning letters to those suspected of illegally downloading tracks.
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The BPI, which represents the UK music industry, has been pushing ISPs to step up efforts to tackle illegal downloads for many years. Music labels claim that free downloads from peer-to-peer services heavily impact sales and want those responsible to be penalised. However, ISPs have been historically protective of their customers when it comes to relinquishing subscriber details to third parties.
"We will not divulge a customer's details or disconnect them on the say so of the content industry, but we will work with rights holders to develop a sensible and legal approach founded on protecting consumer rights and privacy," said Charles Dunstone, CEO, The Carphone Warehouse.
Under the agreement to be announced today, the ISPs will send out hundreds of thousands of letters to repeat offenders, although it's unclear what steps they would take if customers refuse to stop illegally downloading tracks once they've received the written warning.
One idea that's been suggested is that ISPs implement a 'three strikes and you're out' rule, under which offenders would first be issued with written warnings. If they continued to illegally download tracks, offenders could have their internet access terminated.
Virgin Media has been at the forefront of the move to clamp down on illegal downloads this year. Eight hundred Virgin Media customers received letters warning them about participating in illegal file sharing earlier this month at the start of the company's 10-week campaign to 'educate users' about the dangers of file-sharing.
Comments
chopper said: how dare they talk about GREED the money isnt destined for the artists its going to support the 96 profit music industry who rip off consumers and artists alikeits also another excuse to monitor people and view personal details represive and dangerous timesdirty babylon
Tilly said: Hoo Roo
Dos said: Im a heavy user of online gaming and free to air programs off torrent site as I have already paid to watch it with my tv licence not bothered about dl music as i just use sky to record mtv but i pay BT for unlimited downloads and thats what I expectJust cause I use torrents dont make it illegaltime the music and film industry woke up and made it more appealing for people to buy there goods and stop wining about the improvement in technology after all is I-tunes complaining about the millions it makes
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i want my privacy said: by virgin
MILLY said: OMG were do dey monitor u r u allowed to download from programs like limewire n bearshare n stuff or do they just monitor you when you download from the internet
PGJ said: I agree that all illegal downloads should be stopped including Gaming music amp film it cannot continue it we are to maintain quality products and why shouls we honest folk supliment the parasites
OhRealyOhReilly said: Who needs illegal p2p use we7 and download legally
Nos said: The music industry has had its on way for too long they overcharge for discs and even the performances the proof is the stinking rich with in a short time I have nothing against people making money and getting rich but be reasonable with pricing
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mick lee said: Just think about this for a moment I know for a fact that there are at least two open wireless broadband connections on the street where I live What is to stop me from using a laptop and downloading from these sources This being the case how can the isps prove who is doing the downloading
Jon said: Well you could use proxy
dog bot said: its good to see all the comments on this but best of all is the add for free music downloads on the right hand side of the page
dog bot said: its good to see all the comments on this but best of all is the add for free music downloads on the right hand side of the page
Bart said: Should Toyota get paid each time I take a taxi
C Fielder said: If I speed in my Ford car repeatedly are Ford going to take my car away
callum said: I think people are having trouble differentiating between what is legal and what is morally right It used to be legal to profit from slavery if that law had never been challenged it would still stand today It is generally accepted that people get paid for work that they do upon completion and not repaid time and time again Jimi Hendrix was ripped off by his manager for most of his short career Since he died in 1970 who now has the moral right to benefit from revenue generated by sales of his music I tell you what if I am guilty of theft send me to Australia
Johnny said: I think they should save the money theyll be spending on sending the letters and give it to the BPI
Stewart MacGregor said: This is just another clampdown like the one on songs with chords Its just another step towardscurtailing the freedom of the net to ultimately get us to pay for everything Why shouldnt people swap songs with each other If you really want something bad you go out and buy it Most of the stuff folk download are tracks that they would not necessarily buy and so the loss to the industry is minimal whereas their music is more widely heard Just you watch this type of thing will happen more and more frequently Whats coming next Net police God save us Very nasty