Broadband News

BT threatens illegal downloaders

Monday, 30 June 2008

By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

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The UK’s biggest broadband provider has begun threatening customers that illegally download music via peer-to-peer networks with disconnection.

BT (www.BT.com) recently sent one of its four million customers an email alleging that she had illegally shared the track Biology by Girls Allowed on the internet, with “evidence” provided by the BPI (formerly the British Phonographic Industry), reported The Register.

The email states that she had used Ares, a filesharing program, in May this year in a way that broke music copyright laws. The email goes on to say: “Sorry, but we're obliged to point out that further similar problems may have to lead to the termination of your account, as such activity contravenes BT's Acceptable Use Policy,” and advises that she removes any filesharing software from her computer, ensures that her wifi connection is secure, and passes the warning on to other members of her household.

Earlier this month cable provider Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) - which itself has more than 3.5 million subscribers - announced that it had teamed up with the BPI to “educate” customers on the ills of illegal file sharing.

Geoff Taylor, chief of the BPI, told The Register: “Establishing partnerships with ISPs is the number one issue for the BPI, and we are beginning to form positive working relationships with BT, Virgin Media and most of the other major ISPs,” while a BT spokesman warned that any customers infringing copyright over peer-to-peer networks can expect a similar threat if the BPI provides evidence against them.

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “The BPI has been campaigning for a ‘three-strikes-and-you’re-out’ policy for some time, and this letter from BT - which is distinctly more aggressive than Virgin Media’s ‘educational’ trial - is the closest any ISP has come to this so far.

“However, it’s unlikely that such threats will curb the massive problem that illegal filesharing has become,” he added. “ISPs and the music industry have been rumoured to be working towards their own filesharing networks, which could be up and running by the end of the year - and which could provide a viable alternative to illegal peer-to-peer networks,” concluded Phillips.

Related article - Tips for downloaders.

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