New deal to tackle online piracy
A significant new deal between broadband internet providers and the music and film industries has been announced, in a move to counter the financial losses caused by illegal downloading.
The deal involves an agreement by the ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to send letters to prolific downloaders warning them of the illegality of their actions. Six major providers have signed up to the MOU ('Memorandum Of Understanding') – BT, Virgin, Orange, Tiscali, BSkyB and Carphone Warehouse.
The BPI (British Phonographic Industry) and the Motion Picture association of America have signed the agreement on behalf of the music and movie industries. Geoff Taylor, chief executive of the BPI, said: "All of the major ISPs in the UK now recognise they have a responsibility to deal with illegal file sharers on their networks."
However, there is no clear indication of how forceful the internet companies will be obliged to get with their customers. The music industry wants a "three-strikes-and-you're-out" arrangement whereby illegal downloaders will have their internet access cut off if they persist after being warned.
But the web companies have not promised this, and it is known that the government is not in favour of such a move. The deal only commits the broadband companies to "working towards a significant reduction" in the illegal sharing of music.
The new deal is being seen by observers as a last-ditch attempt by the internet providers to avoid government legislation, which is being demanded by the music and film industries. The internet companies are aware that if a voluntary code doesn't work, they could be hit with a compulsory levy that would compensate the content companies – much like the charge that was added to the cost of blank cassette tapes.
Comments
Spot on Joe ... and the fact that wish to 'punish' us get's me to thinking that if the worst comes to the worst then we could ALL band together , give then no money ie, stop broadband subscription for a designated amount of time (agreement reached with online negotiations) and hit these self same providers where it hurts .. strike !
and i'll garentee you that these self same companies disbandon this very silly idea.
The record labels missed the boat. When the likes of napster first emerged they had the chance to react and offer a low-cost, high-quality music file download service whereby music buyers - the original music downloaders were some of the most enthusiastic buyers of legal music, too - could get the music how they wanted and legally. They dithered for years until iTunes emerged and still there are hardly any music services offering high-quality downloads. Now they are trying to punish the very people who they should be selling downloads, too - and it's too late for that.
Piece of nonsense this.
I'm guessing that some of the ''big-wigs'' want to line their pockets some more.
My take on the music industry is that the way forward for artists is first and foremost to be brilliant at what they do, so as they can sell out venues for concerts and earn a fortune from doing so.
This let's hammer the people who share legally on cd then share with friends is revolting if truth be told.This music sharing is part of the digital age and is without the way (or one of them) forward in the time in which we live.
Maybe the file-sharing public should ban together using the web to get a movement in which the 'greedy' instigators can be taken to court themselves for human friendship infringement or something.
thanks, Alan.