Internet providers in music pirates deal
July 24, 2008
A plan has been made between the music industry and six of the UK’s biggest internet service providers (ISP’s) to combat piracy online.
Letters will be sent to hundreds of internet users who are suspected of illegally sharing music, in the deal which was negotiated by the government.
The music industry however wants persistent illegal sharers to be cut off from the internet. Internet firms say they are not prepared to do this. The ISP’s which have signed up are BT, Virgin, Orange, Tiscali, BSkyB and Carphone Warehouse.
Chief executive of British Music Rights, Feargal Sharkey described the plan as “a first step, and a very big step, in what we all acknowledge is going to be quite a long process.”
The plan commits the internet providers to a “significant reduction” in the illegal sharing of music.
In contrast to efforts in America, which has seen tens of thousands of lawsuits against alleged file sharers, the BPI, which represents the UK music business, has focused on educational efforts and limited legal action in recent years.
The ISP’s have thought to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding drawn up by the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR).
Also the Motion Picture Association of America has signed up.
The firms have also agreed to ensure their customers know its illegal to share copyrighted music. They are also required to go further in their attempts to tackle illegal file sharing.
In recent weeks, both BT and Virgin have sent letters to customers who have been identified as persistent music pirates.
The BPI has previously called for a “three strikes” system which if three warnings were ignored internet connections would be cut off. Internet providers said it is not their job to police the internet.
The debate is set to continue.
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