US ISPs begin warning internet users against piracy
Following in the footsteps of some European initiatives, Internet Service Providers in the US have agreed to send warning letters to internet users accused of downloading copyrighted music illegally.
AT&T, the largest ISP in the US, says it will start sending warnings to its users if film or music copyright holders allege internet piracy.
This comes after three other ISP - Verizon Communications, Comcast and Cox Communications - announced that they too would be working closely with the Recording Industry Association of America to send warning letters to alleged internet pirates.
The RIAA, which represents record labels in the US, has been pressing ISPs for a more proactive approach in combating piracy.
Previously ISPs had given information on customers to copyright holders only after receiving court orders. But that strategy had been widely criticised, and the RIAA said in 2008 that it was abandoning its policy of filing suits, and would instead work more closely with ISPs to target illegal down loaders.
As yet there is not threat of disconnecting repeat offenders, though the RIAA has said that it would like to see tougher penalties against those identified of sharing music illegally.
Similar measures have been rolled out in France and the UK where, following government coercion, ISPs have sent thousands of warning letters to alleged internet pirates.
In France, the government is attempting to pass a three-strikes law that would see repeat offenders disconnected from the internet if they do not heed the warnings.
However, some in the EU have argued that this would run foul of the Community's human rights laws and would not be implemented by the courts.
Ireland's largest ISP Eircom, has voluntarily agreed its own three-strikes law to disconnect internet pirates, and similar legislation in New Zealand has been postponed in the face of protests.
