Another UK ISP Begins Threatening File-Sharers

The UK’s biggest broadband provider has begun threatening customers that illegally download music via P2P networks.

BT recently sent one of its four million customers an email alleging that she had illegally shared the track "Biology by Girls Allowed" on the internet, with “evidence” provided by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), reported The Register.

The email states that she had used Ares, a file-sharing program, in May this year in a way that broke music copyright laws. The email goes on to say: “Sorry, but we’re obliged to point out that further similar problems may have to lead to the termination of your account, as such activity contravenes BT’s Acceptable Use Policy,” and advises that she removes any file-sharing software from her computer, ensures that her Wi-Fi connection is secure, and passes the warning on to other members of her household.

For those who use wi-fi connections at home BT even warns that "It is your responsibility to ensure that your internet connection is not used to infringe copyright or otherwise to breach the terms and conditions of your BT internet connection." It thus mandates that you must "Ensure that any wireless router connected to your internet connection is securely protected using encryption and password access."

So failing to properly securing your router can also potentially cause you to lose your Internet connection.

Geoff Taylor, chief of the BPI, told The Register: “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,” while a BT spokesman warned that any customers infringing copyright over peer-to-peer networks can expect a similar threat if the BPI provides evidence against them.

BT’s response to the report::

BT has not changed its policy for dealing with copyright infringement and we have not joined any "crusades". We do ask that our customers adhere to our terms and conditions which state that they must comply with all relevant laws and not infringe the rights of others.

We do work with various bodies to help them protect their copyright material and will sometimes pass on warning notices to customers on their behalf where we feel this is appropriate. If a customer continues to be in breach of our terms and conditions then BT has the right to suspend or terminate that customer’s account, though we work closely with customers to avoid this where possible.

Maybe so, but it certainly hasn’t gone out of its way to fight back against the music industry’s efforts either.

Earlier this month, I reported how Virgin Media – which itself has more than 3.5 million subscribers – announced that it had teamed up with the BPI to “educate” customers about illegal file sharing through warnings and eventual disconnection for those unable to "learn." Combined with this recent news it can now be said that UK broadband subscribers are in for a tough road ahead. The Internet was supposed to eliminate the traditional gatekeepers of creativity, knowledge and communication, but instead we slowly see the entertainment industry reclaiming its throne.

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