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Letters to be sent out
to illegal downloaders
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Virgin Media launches illegal download ‘education campaign’
Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk
The UK’s cable operator has teamed up with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) to launch an “education campaign” to stop customers illegally downloading music, it was announced today (06-06-08).
As part of the campaign, Virgin Media (www.VirginMedia.com) customers whose accounts have been used to distribute music in breach of copyright will receive two “informative” letters - one from the ISP and one from the BPI.
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"Education is absolutely key to reducing the extent of illegal downloading"
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Although it appears that customers will not be threatened with disconnection, this is definitely a step towards harsher consequences for anyone using illegal peer-to-peer networks.
According to the BPI, over 6.5 million broadband accounts are used to download illegal music files in the UK, costing millions of pounds. However, it believes that “in many cases, customers may not be aware that their account is being used in this way”.
Virgin Media said: “Virgin Media’s fibre optic broadband is a great platform for people who want to download lots of music on-line. But we want them to do so without infringing the rights of musicians and music companies. This campaign is about helping our customers understand how they can do this and get the best out of the internet.”
Virgin Media will also provide practical advice on how to prevent account misuse, links to legitimate sources of on-line music and information about the potential dangers of downloading files from unauthorised sources, including increased threats from viruses and spyware, on its website to help educate all of its 3.5 million customers.
Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the BPI, added: “Education is absolutely key to reducing the extent of illegal downloading, and we are pleased to be working with Virgin Media on this campaign. We believe that new partnerships with ISPs can help build an internet in which music is properly valued. That will benefit not just musicians, songwriters and labels, but all internet users who love music. This joint campaign with Virgin Media is the first step towards achieving that goal.”
Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “The Government has already warned that if a voluntary agreement cannot be reached between ISPs and the music and movie industries on the policing of illegal downloads, that it might have to draw up legislation to stop the flow of illegal content.
“France and the US already have strict guidelines in place such as a ‘three-strikes-and-you’re-out’ policy to disconnect repeat offenders from the internet.
“However, this is likely to be difficult to enforce and Government, ISPs and the BPI should be looking to shut down the peer-to-peer networks that people use to share music in the first place,” he concluded.
Related article - Tips for downloaders.
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