Filesharers Threatened with Disconnection

In UK things are getting serious. BT, the largest broadband provider considered it was time for some action and so it has reportedly started to threaten customers with disconnection from the Internet if it receives information that they are sharing copyright files through p2p networks.

One of the company’s subscribers has been given an email alleging that she had used a p2p client to download a Girls Aloud song – Biology, The Register informs. The email was based on data collected by (of course) the BPI. It claims she used the open source file sharing application Ares in May this year to infringe sound recording copyright.

BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor made a statement to The Register saying that: “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”.

However, is not yet certain how exactly does BT stand with regard to implementing the record industry's favored "three strikes" policy which basically includes two warnings for users accused of infringing music copyright followed by disconnection from the Internet.

Taylor further emphasized the importance of the role ISPs should assume:
“Music has huge value, and ISPs can play a positive role in its future, by working with us to develop new services, helping with consumer education, and tackling the illegal filesharing on their networks. Everyone agrees on where we need to be, and we are working closely with our colleagues across the music community, the more progressive ISPs, and government to get us there.”

On the other hand there are reports indicating great chances for UK legal broadband subscription services that will allow filesharing to be launched by the end of 2008.

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