Irish ISPs Say ‘No’ to 'Three-Strikes' P2P Model

Not all Irish ISPs are jumping at the call of music industry (like Eircom) after all. Several Irish ISPs have expressed their disagreement with the attempts of major record companies, through the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA), Irish equivalent of the RIAA, to force ISPs into implementing a "three-strikes" model that would cut off the Internet connection of repeat illegal file sharers.

After IRMA sent a letter in which it announced that major Irish ISP Eircom had closed a deal to enforce a three-strikes rule following a lawsuit settlement with the record labels. The Internet Service Providers in Ireland (ISPAI) group was prompt in responding, The Register reported:

"Privacy of user communications is protected in European and Irish legislation. ISPs can not be expected to ignore these merely because it does not suit another private party."

"To do so would breach the privacy of our users as well as having serious implications for the continued location of international e-business in this country and the jobs these generate."

You can read the whole position staement here (PDF)