RIAA/MPAA sponsored program called ACNS automatically turns off internet access

[Miniver]

Download a file that has an illegal sounding name and you're Internet access is cut off? This could soon become a reality for students throughout the US. A new RIAA/MPAA sponsored program called Automated Copyright Notice System (ACNS) automatically turns off the Internet access for alleged copyright infringers on notice from a record label or movie studio. Note the alleged because this is guilty until proven innocent at its best. What happened to innocent till proven guilty? We all know that the RIAA has sued individuals that never infringed any copyrights, so quite obviously this will result in Internet access being cut off for a few (or many) unlucky people who just happened to download a file with a suspicious name, or were at the wrong place at the wrong time. At this point, maybe it's time to introduce a new law against unlawful Internet access suspension. How about $250'000 in damages and up to two years in prison for the president of the movie studio / record label that filed the improper notice? Now that could effectively restore the balance somewhat ;)

There's been so much terrible information about file-sharing within the past few days. I wonder if the tide might be turning soon, or if it has already.

[aqlo]

Here's a real article from a more legitimate news source:

Known as the Automated Copyright Notice System (ACNS), the technology promises to make copyright enforcement easier on peer-to-peer networks, saving schools and Internet service providers (ISPs) time and money. ACNS allows them to automatically restrict or cut off Internet access for alleged infringers on notice from a record label or movie studio. For example, universities using ACNS could instantly send notices of copyright infringement to students by e-mail and restrict their network access until they have removed the file.

Though not specifically ACNS, a similar system is set to go live Monday at the University of California at Los Angeles, one of the nation's largest universities with 37,500 students.

"ACNS is an open-source, royalty-free system that universities, ISPs, or anyone that handles large volumes of copyright notices can implement on their network to increase the efficiency and reduce the costs of responding to the notices," according to a technical summary.

So essentially this is the same story already being decanted in about 5 threads so far, yes? With a bit more detail.

Miniver you guys are kind of fearmongering aren't you? What's that about.

[Miniver]

That's from cnet right? They're linked in the article. They are the original source. I saw it first on doom9 so I thought I'd give them the credit. (besides, its a great site). I'm not fearmongering, I am seriously afraid... File-sharing on this scale probably will not be allowed to go on forever. How fun do you think the internet will be if this is allowed on regular ISP's? Without providing any proof the riaa/mpaa/sa could cut your internet connection at the merest possibility that you are dl'ing illegally. This develops precedent.

[thewhitrbbit]

ISP's wont do it without being forced to, ISP"s understand they need customers