New Report: File Sharers Not Scared of ISPs' Warning Letters

A survey published in 2008 showed that 70 % of people engaged in sharing copyrighted material online would give up their illegal activity on the Internet if they were sent a warning notice from their ISPs. But that’s already an old story.

A new research from law firm Wiggin is eloquent about how people currently view the issue – this year only 33% of those receiving a warning letter from their Internet service provider would abandon their pirating habits. The research also says that 80% would cease any illegal downloading if the letter were followed up by drastic measure such as disconnection from the Internet (and I wonder, did they say they would stop since it would be obviously impossible without an Internet connection or that they would better understand their guilt?).

BBC quoted Alexander Ross, partner in the media and technology group at Wiggin as saying “A letter would not be enough. It does take an ultimate sanction."

Burnham Culture Secretary Andy Burnham said in a statement last week that broadband was almost as crucial to people these days as their electricity and water supplies which means “you don’t go straight to cutting off people from it. There are ways to provide incentives for people to respect rights”.

More than 1,500 consumers have participated in making this survey by answering questions related to their online habits.