BPI telling ISPs to freeze the accounts

Themes

Freeze the Accounts

The BPI has been instructing ISPs to freeze access to the internet for some of their customers. The BPI accuses the customers of swapping copyrighted material over P2P networks, in violation of the contract they entered into when they opened the account with the ISP. Tiscali has responded saying that it will not do so unless the BPI provides proof that this is occurring.

Connecting to a file sharing network is not in itself illegal. And owning a file that has the same name as a copyrighted one isn't proof that the file contains that music. Offering that file for sharing is only illegal if it is copyrighted and you don't have the copyright holder's permission to do so. While this might seem like nit picking, these are the points that ISPs must be aware of before they disconnect customers.

Right to Privacy

The BPI and RIAA frequently make demands to ISPs to provide information on their consumers who where using a given IP address at a given time. With out providing any evidence of wrong doing. There have been several occasions when the RIAA has successfully obtained this information and it has proven that the person could not possibly have committed the offence they where accused off.

Tiscali's legal response to the request to suspend 17 accounts said: "You state that the evidence is 'overwhelming'. However, you have provided no actual evidence in respect of 16 of the accounts. Further, you have provided no evidence of downloading taking place nor have you provided evidence that the shared drive was connected by the relevant IP address at the relevant time."

Digital levy

The latest approach is a levy on internet use – a flat rate 'ISP tax' on all users.

The Association of Independent Media (AIM), is one of the leading proponents of the plan. The idea is to charge ISPs to offset illegal file sharing.

Suing Fans

In the past three years music industry lawyers have sued more than 23,000 music fans for downloading copyrighted music from the internet.

Hilary Rosen, a former chief executive of the Recording Industry Association of America, recently acknowledged in the Huffington Post - For the Record, for What It's Worth, it’s time to stop suing fans. "For the record, I do share a concern that the lawsuits have outlived most of their usefulness and that the record companies need to work harder to implement a strategy that legitimises more p2p (file-sharing) sites,"

Hilary Rosen is the person who suggested to the industry go after users of P2P networks who where sharing copyrighted material. How ever now she is saying its a bad idea to continue it.

RIAA

The RIAA itself has likened its campaign to drift net fishing, admitting that “[w]hen you go fishing with a net, you sometimes are going to catch a few dolphin.” Dennis Roddy, The Song Remains the Same, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sept. 14, 2003, available at http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/20030914edroddy0914p1.asp. One of the first innocents caught in the RIAA’s net was Sarah Ward, a grandmother in Massachusetts who was accused of using a Windows program to download hard core rap music, even though her computer was a Macintosh that could not possibly run the program. RIAA v. The People, supra, at 4. Another, Marie Lindor, was sued even though she did not own a computer at the time of the alleged infringement. Download Suit Defense: ‘No PC,’ Red Herring, Feb. 3, 2006, available at http://www.redherring.com/Article.aspx?a=15592. The RIAA even sued an 83-year-old deceased grandmother, Gertrude Walton, who was accused of sharing files under the user name “smittened kitten” even though she hated computers even when she was alive.

For more on the RIAA campain see Recording Industry vs. The People

Campaigns

Flowerburger Records has begun an online petition [1] calling for an end to the prosecution of fans. The petition reads, in part:

Fans generally want payment for musicians but cannot always afford to buy CDs or downloads and will therefore naturally use p2p file-sharing and other downloading methods to listen to music. The music industry is a creative industry that should be exploring ways to earn money for its artists from p2p, not using the destructive force of litigation.

Links

Press

ORG

2006-07-14 - The Guardian - Internet companies reject plans for tariff to offset music piracy
Author: Bobbie Johnson
Summary: Technology companies have reacted angrily to the idea of a new tariff aimed at recouping money lost to illegal downloads. The proposals for a change in copyright law and licensing - put forward this week by independent music labels and artists' organisations - have caused consternation among internet and mobile phone firms. They are unhappy about what they describe as an extra tax on their services.
Quote: "They are looking at booming technology markets, such as the growth in iPod sales, and wondering how they can get themselves a slice of the action," said Suw Charman of the Open Rights Group.
2006-07-13 - out-law.com - Music industry proposes 'ISP tax'
Summary: A music industry coalition has proposed that ISPs and others should pay a licence fee to compensate rights-holders for unlawful file-sharing by their customers. One critic called the plans, which would change copyright laws, "ill-conceived and grasping."
Note: Suw Charman, executive director of the Open Rights Group, said: "This proposal is ill-conceived and grasping. Suggesting that ISPs and telcos should be responsible for the content transferred by their users illustrates how poorly the music industry understand the net, the right to privacy, and the ISPs' duties to their customers under the Data Protection Act."
2006-07-12 - PC Pro - Open Rights Group counter-attacks BPI over music downloads
Author: Simon Aughton
Summary: UK digital rights campaigners have urged ISPs to resist attempts by the music industry to have them close down the Internet accounts of alleged p2p file sharers. The Open Rights Group said that the BPI's request that Tiscali and Cable & Wireless close 59 accounts 'is a really bad idea, not just for users but for ISPs too', according to executive director Suw Charman. 'It's essential that ISPs resist the BPI's attempt to strong-arm them into becoming the music industry's bully-boys,' Charman said. 'If the BPI has evidence of wrong-doing, then it must go through the proper channels in order to pursue its case. Producing a list of IP addresses and demanding that the customers who used them be disconnected is no more than an attempt at summary justice. If the end-user is misidentified - perhaps the IP address was shared or miscommunicated by the BPI - then it will be the ISPs and their innocent customers who will suffer the consequences.'

UK

Non Tech Press

2006-07-20 - The Guardian - ISPs face the music over file sharing
Author: Bobbie Johnson and Charles Arthur
Summary: Should companies such as Tiscali act as judge and jury with alleged file sharers of copyright music, and cut off their connections? The record industry seems to think so.
2006-07-19 - Times - Why the music industry's new piracy tactics will fail
Author: Bernhard Warner
Summary: Targeting ISPs may open up a new loophole and legitimise file-sharing. Here’s a jarring statistic: in the past three years music industry lawyers have sued more than 23,000 music fans for filling their hard drives with free songs and sharing them with the world. But as almost any music executive will tell you, suing your customers is an unsustainable strategy. The negative PR and lingering ill will the suits instil in music fans is just too high a price to pay.
2006-07-17 - The Lawyer - It's gloves off as the BPI attacks ISPs over filesharing
Author: Ben Moshinsky
Summary: Last week the BPI, advised by media specialist firm Wiggin, wrote to providers Tiscali and Cable & Wireless (C&W) demanding that they suspend 59 internet accounts used for filesharing. But by doing this it might have scored an own goal, invoking the anger of established internet players that until now have been on the sidelines in the music industry's war on filesharing.
2006-07-14 - OUT-LAW.COM - Tiscali rejects BPI's evidence
Summary: Internet service provider Tiscali has rejected the record industry's evidence that its customers have been file-sharing and also its proposed punishments in a strongly worded rebuke to industry body the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
2006-07-13 - United Press International - Service providers tackle online piracy
Summary: The British music industry gained an ally when two leading Internet service providers said they would suspend service to customers committing online piracy.
Note: Also reprinted by Political Gateway, Washington Times, Daily India and North Korea Times
2006-07-12 - The Guardian - Record labels vs. ISPs: it's starting to get nasty
Author: Charles Arthur
Summary: The record labels have started, collectively, to lose their minds. Or perhaps they've *finally* lost them - because if you're going to line up a rogues' gallery, it will be a long time before people will rank ISPs as nastier than record bosses.
2006-07-12 - The Guardian - Tiscali hits back over filesharing
Author: Mark Sweney
Summary: Tiscali has refuted claims from the British Phonographic Industry that it is "turning a blind eye" to illegal music filesharing, instead accusing the music body of using "press tactics" without providing sufficient legal backing for the allegations.
2006-07-12 - Sound Generator - Illegal file sharing stand-off for BPI, ISPs
Summary: BPI says Users could have their service suspended, ISPs disagree. It's been a week of ups and downs for the BPI (British Photographic Industry) who have released a statement saying two major ISPs have this week potentially agreed to ban filesharers. The ISPs however, Tiscali, and Cable & Wireless are singing from a different sheet.
2006-07-12 - The Daily Record - Top of the Pods
Author: Cath Bennett
Summary: Critics warned downloads would kill music industry but singles sales have rocketed. While the BPI are celebrating the increase in sales, their success is marred by the problem of illegal downloads. Yesterday they called on internet service providers to cut off the accounts of the worst offenders.
2006-07-12 - BBC News - BPI welcomes internet music steps
Summary: The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has said it welcomes indications from two internet service providers that they will tackle illegal filesharing.
2006-07-11 - Drowned in Sound - Tiscali tells BPI to naff off
Author: Ben Marwood
Summary: Internet provider Tiscali has refused to hand over the details of seventeen of its users accused of illegal downloading by the British Phonographic Institute today (11th July), report Reuters here. The BPI reported on Monday that it had "unequivocal" evidence of naughty goings on amongst seventeen of Tiscali's customers, as well as forty-two from Cable & Wireless, but attempts to access the details did not wash with Tiscali, after the BPI allegedly forgot to include much proper evidence.
2006-07-11 - Dance Front Door - Tiscali refuses to unmask music file sharers
Summary: UK ISP Tiscali has hit back at the British recording industry amid allegations that it allowed customers to illegally file-share music, and has refused to hand over customer details. On Monday the BPI had asked Tiscali and Cable & Wireless to suspend 59 internet accounts that had said to have been used for illegal music file-sharing. A Tiscali spokeswoman described the move as a ‘media ambush’. She said the BPI had "[sent] their letter to the media before we even had a chance to read it and the information they went to press with was not strictly correct".
2006-07-11 - BBC News - Industry to stop 'music cheats'
Summary: The recorded music industry's trade group has asked internet service providers (ISPs) to freeze the accounts of customers who illegally fileshare.
2006-07-11 - Reuters UK - Tiscali snubs music industry demand for names
Author: Jeffrey Goldfarb
Summary: Internet service provider Tiscali on Tuesday rebuked demands by British music companies to reveal the names of some of its customers who allegedly used the network to share songs illegally.
2006-07-11 - Daily Express - How the download revolution has now saved the pop single
Summary: SALES legal downloads are booming.... The BPI announced yesterday that it is stepping up its campaign against illegal file-sharing. It called on two internet service providers, Cable & Wireless and Tiscali, to suspend 59 accounts it believes are being used to infringe copyright by swapping songs.
2006-07-10 - BBC 5 Music - BPI busy
Author: Adrian Larkin
Summary: Busy times this for the British Phonographic Industry. Today it announced it had one eye on illegal file sharers and another on the future of the BBC's flagship music programme - Top Of The Pops
2006-07-10 - Telegraph - Bid to close file-sharers' ISP accounts
Author: Dominic White
Summary: Britain's music industry has stepped up its campaign against illegal file-sharers by demanding that two internet service providers (ISPs) suspend 59 accounts it says are being used to upload copyrighted songs for swapping. The British Phonographic Industry has written to Tiscali and Cable & Wireless - owner of Bulldog - in the hope that they will suspend the accounts without the need for the lobby group to seek High Court intervention.
2006-07-10 - Scotsman - Digital downloads to hit 50m mark
Author: John Innes
Summary: DIGITAL downloads will smash the one-million-a-week barrier this year as music fans push sales of singles to their highest level for six years.... "We have said for months that it is unacceptable for ISPs to turn a blind eye to industrial-scale copyright infringement," said Mr Jamieson. "We are providing Tiscali and Cable & Wireless with unequivocal evidence of copyright infringement via their services. It is now up to them to put their house in order and pull the plug on these people."
2006-07-10 - The Times - Net giants told to pull plug on the pop pirates
Author: Adam Sherwin
Summary: The British record industry has called on internet service providers to disconnect customers who share music files illegally, opening up a new front in the battle against piracy.
2006-07-10 - United Press International - U.K. ISPs challenged on music file sharing
Summary: Britain's recording industry Monday called on two Internet service providers to shut accounts that allegedly accommodate illegal music file sharing.
2006-07-10 - BBC News - Industry to stop 'music cheats'
Summary: The recorded music industry's trade group has asked internet service providers (ISPs) to freeze the accounts of customers who illegally fileshare. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has written to Tiscali and Cable & Wireless asking them to suspend 59 accounts for "illegal filesharing".
2006-07-10 - Out-Law.com - Cable & Wireless likely to suspend file-sharers' accounts
Summary: The 42 Cable & Wireless customers accused by the music industry of unauthorised file-sharing look likely to have their accounts withdrawn in line with a demand from industry body the British Phonographic Industry (BPI).
2006-07-10 - Pocket-lint - BPI demands that two ISPs ban music file-sharing addresses
Author: Amber Maitland
Summary: The BPI is going after illegal file-sharers by putting pressure on internet service providers to ban accounts that are being used to swap copyrighted songs.
2006-07-10 - Yahoo Music - ISPs urged to lock out file-sharers
Summary: The British music industry stepped up its campaign against illegal file-sharing on Monday by demanding that two Internet service providers suspend 59 accounts it believes are being used to swap copyrighted songs.
2006-07-10 - Scotsman - Internet providers urged to lock out file-sharers
Author: Jeffrey Goldfarb (Reuters)
Summary: The British music industry stepped up its campaign against illegal file-sharing on Monday by demanding that two Internet service providers suspend 59 accounts it believes are being used to swap copyrighted songs.

Tech Press

2006-07-24 - p2pnet - Paying the piper
Author: Chris Ovenden
Summary: Yahoo!'s public declaration that it would like to sell unencumbered music in its store coincided with the failure of the BPI - Britain's answer to the RIAA - to provide solid evidence against the Tiscali users whom the BPI had accused of file-swapping. Regular p2pnet readers won't have learned much from this - we already know that p2p can't be stopped and that DRM won't work - but these truths are now out in the open.
2006-07-17 - CNET - ISPs reject calls for music tariffs
Author: Dan Ilett
Summary: 'Not our problem,' they say. Internet companies have slammed calls for a tariff that would mean they have to pay music companies for money lost due to illegal downloads.
Note: Also in silicon.com ISPs renounce music tariffs
2006-07-14 - The Register - Indies, songwriters want jaw jaw with ISPs
Author: Andrew Orlowski
Summary: "Value Recognition Right" "the right of the creative community to license depending on value that has been accrued by other intermediaries." ... foolish suing the consumer
2006-07-13 - ZDNet - The Internet is not the music industry's plaything
Summary: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? no it's…the British Phonographic Institute. And it doesn't fly. Unlike the real Superman, the music industry body has not been endowed with god-like powers to change the very fabric of time, space and established law – just a vociferous PR department.
2006-07-13 - p2pnet.net - Tiscali as BPI copyright cops
Summary: Tiscali responded with an open letter in which it among other things, it said, "It is not for Tiscali, as an ISP, nor the BPI, as a trade association, to effectively act as a regulator or law enforcement agency and deny individuals the right to defend themselves against the allegations made against them."
2006-07-13 - DVD-Recordable - Tiscali Hits Back At BPI 'Media Ambush'
Summary: Tiscali has hit back at British recording industry allegations that it allowed customers to illegally file-share music, and has refused to hand over customer details.
2006-07-13 - Techworld - Heavy-handed BPI slammed by Tiscali
Author: Karen Haslam, Macworld UK
Summary: Tiscali has hit back at the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) after it requested that it close the accounts of alleged filesharers.
2006-07-13 - Slashdot - Slashback: Wikipedia Correction, NASA Tape, BPI Rejected
Author: Glyn
Summary: One of the ISPs that the British recording industry tried to strong-arm into terminating customers' accounts on accusation of file-sharing has responded with an emphatic no.
2006-07-13 - IT Week - Tiscali blasts BPI file sharing allegations
Author: Matt Chapman
Summary: Tiscali has hit back at allegations by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) that 17 of its broadband customers are sharing files illegally. The ISP complained about the way the issue was raised in the press, and insisted that the BPI had only provided evidence for one of the 17 IP addresses.
2006-07-13 - TechWeb - ISPs Say File Sharing Evidence Not Enough
Author: K.C. Jones
Summary: A British recording industry group says that Internet service providers are cooperating with its requests to suspend accounts used to share copyrighted music files without permission, but one of the providers said BPI did not provide sufficient evidence.
2006-07-12 - ars technica - British ISP tells recording industry to provide real file sharing evidence
Author: Anders Bylund
Summary: In its quest to rid the British isles of illegal music swapping, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) association is not finding much support from major European ISP Tiscali. A recent request to disconnect 17 users identified only by IP addresses has received a downright condescending response from Tiscali, noting that "It is not for Tiscali, as an ISP, nor the BPI, as a trade association, to effectively act as a regulator or law enforcement agency and deny individuals the right to defend themselves against the allegations made against them."
2006-07-12 - PC Advisor - Heavy-handed BPI slammed by Tiscali
Author: Karen Haslam
Summary: Tiscali has hit back at the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) after it requested that it close the accounts of alleged filesharers.
2006-07-12 - TechSpot - Tiscali rejects BPI request to turn over file sharers
Author: Derek Sooman
Summary: Yesterday, we reported that the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) had asked the Internet service providers Tiscali and Cable & Wireless to suspend 59 accounts used for illegal file sharing. Today, it has emerged that Tiscali have refused to roll over and do whatever they are told. The company has said that it will not close any accounts without more evidence of wrongdoing from the BPI, and that it will not hand over any personal details of customers to the BPI without a court order.
2006-07-12 - After Dawn - Tiscali refuses to reveal 'music pirates'
Author: Lethal_B
Summary: Internet Service Provider Tiscali has swiftly responded to allegations from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) that it allowed its customers to illegally trade music files.
2006-07-12 - Computing - Tiscali blasts BPI file sharing allegations
Author: Matt Chapman
Summary: ISP unhappy with media tactics. Tiscali has hit back at allegations by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) that 17 of its broadband customers are sharing files illegally. The ISP complained about the way the issue was raised in the press, and insisted that the BPI had only provided evidence for one of the 17 IP addresses.
2006-07-12 - p2pnet - Tiscali tells Hollywood to poke it
Summary: One of the two UK ISPs ordered by the Big Six movie studios to turn in the IDs of users targeted for copyright infringement action has told Hollydud to poke it.
2006-07-12 - Macworld - Tiscali criticises heavy-handed BPI
Author: Karen Haslam
Summary: Tiscali has reacted to the BPI's request that it close the accounts of 59 people the record label trade body accuses of file-sharing music. The ISP has criticised the organisation for the manner in which this matter was raised and the lack of any supporting evidence on 16 of the 17 customers the BPI is accusing of file-sharing.
2006-07-12 - Computeractive - Tiscali says BPI evidence is not proof of copyright infringement
Author: Dinah Greek
Summary: Tiscali has told the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) that based on the evidence the music body has currently supplied, it will not suspend the internet accounts of customers accused of infringing copyright. The internet service provider (ISP) said nothing it has so far received comes near to meeting the BPI's claim it has "overwhelming evidence" that 17 Tiscali customers have been sharing "significant amounts" of copyright music.
2006-07-12 - PC Pro - Tiscali hits back at BPI
Author: Steve Malone
Summary: If the British Phonographic Industry thought that the ISPs Tiscali and Cable and Wireless would meekly suspend the 59 subscriber accounts which are allegedly involved in wholesale copyright theft, it has had to think again. In a letter to the BPI, Tiscali demands that the BPI shows more compelling evidence that unlawful behaviour has actually taken place before it will consider suspending the accounts of those concerned.
2006-07-12 - Netimperative - Tiscali fires back at BPI
Summary: ISP Tiscali has challenged the BPI’s request that it suspend customer accounts that it claims are being used for illegal filesharing. In an open letter sent to both Tiscali and Cable and Wireless this week, the BPI identified 17 Tiscali IP addresses and 42 Cable & Wireless IP addresses which it claimed have been used to upload ‘significant quantities’ of music owned by BPI members.
2006-07-12 - Digit News - UK music group enlists ISPs in piracy battle
Author: Jeremy Kirk
Summary: The British Phonographic Industry is trying to enlist ISPs (Internet service providers) in its battle against illegal file sharing, a move that could allow it to target more music traders and reduce the amount of time it spends in court. It was unclear how much help it will get from the ISPs, however, with one service provider saying the initiative is "not really a welcome approach."
2006-07-12 - The Inquirer - Tiscali tells UK recording industry to sod off
Author: Nick Farrell
Summary: Yesterday's comments by the British Phonographic Industry that it had read the riot act to two UK ISPs and asked them to pull the plug on their P2P pirates has been disputed by one of the ISPs. Yesterday the BPI said it had presented Tiscali with "overwhelming evidence" that some of its customers were P2P pirates and told them to pull the plug on them. However Tiscali is fuming that it appears to have suffered what it calls a "media ambush" by the BPI which had sent a copy of its letter to the press before it had bothered mailing it to them.
2006-07-12 - The Register - Tiscali and BPI in filesharing standoff
Author: Lucy Sherriff
Summary: Tiscali, the ISP accused by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) of harbouring at least 17 filesharers, has said it won't close any accounts without more evidence of wrongdoing from the music industry body. It also said it would not hand any personal details over to the BPI without a court order, in line with its obligations under the Data Protection Act.
Note: Second page of article contains a copy of the Tiscali letter.
2006-07-11 - ITWeek - ISPs told to disconnect illegal file sharers
Author: Matt Chapman
Summary: Tiscali and Cable & Wireless told vnunet.com today that they are investigating cases of illegal file sharing after the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) asked the ISPs to pull the plug on a list of customers branded as "music cheats". The BPI supplied details of 59 internet accounts which it claimed were being used for illegal file sharing. "We have said for months that it is unacceptable for ISPs to turn a blind eye to industrial-scale copyright infringement," said BPI chairman Peter Jamieson.
2006-07-11 - BetaNews - Tiscali Rejects Record Industry Request
Author: Nate Mook
Summary: Internet service provider Tiscali on Tuesday rejected a request by the British record industry to hand over information on 17 subscribers accused of illicit file sharing. Tiscali refuted the British Phonographic Industry's claims that IP addresses were solid proof. In announcing its efforts on Monday to solicit assistance from ISPs, the BPI called the move a significant development in its fight against piracy. It hoped that dealing with Internet providers would enable the group to speed the pace of filing suits against pirates.
2006-07-11 - Computing - ISPs told to disconnect illegal file sharers
Author: Matt Chapman
Summary: Tiscali and Cable & Wireless told vnunet.com today that they are investigating cases of illegal file sharing after the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) asked the ISPs to pull the plug on a list of customers branded as "music cheats". The BPI supplied details of 59 internet accounts which it claimed were being used for illegal file sharing.
2006-07-11 - Web User - Tiscali refuses to unmask 'file-sharers
Author: Quentin Reade
Summary: Tiscali has hit back at British recording industry allegations that it allowed customers to illegally file-share music, and has refused to hand over customer details.
2006-07-11 - What PC? - ISPs told to disconnect illegal file sharers
Author: Matt Chapman
Summary: Tiscali and Cable & Wireless told vnunet.com today that they are investigating cases of illegal file sharing after the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) asked the ISPs to pull the plug on a list of customers branded as "music cheats".
2006-07-11 - vnunet.com - ISPs told to disconnect illegal file sharers
Author: Matt Chapman
Summary: Tiscali and Cable & Wireless told vnunet.com today that they are investigating cases of illegal file sharing after the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) asked the ISPs to pull the plug on a list of customers branded as "music cheats".
2006-07-11 - The Inquirer - BPI asks ISPs to turn off file-sharers
Author: Nick Farrell
Summary: The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has written to two broadband ISPs, asking them to cut off DSL connections to their customers the outfit suspects of illegal file sharing. The letters were bashed off to Tiscali and Cable & Wireless asking them to suspend 59 accounts. They say that the ISPs should "put their houses in order and pull the plug on these people"
2006-07-11 - Irish Developer - Industry to stop 'music cheats'
Author: Shawn Lunn
Summary: The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has written to Tiscali and Cable & Wireless asking them to suspend 59 accounts for "illegal filesharing". Until now, the BPI has focused on individuals, rather than other firms.
2006-07-11 - CNET - British ISPs urged to kick out file sharers
Author: Reuters
Summary: The British music industry stepped up its campaign against illegal file sharing on Monday by demanding that two Internet service providers suspend 59 accounts it believes are being used to swap copyrighted songs.
2006-07-11 - PC PRO - Consumer goods and copyright conundrums
Author: Stewart Mitchell
Summary: Copyright laws are under renewed scrutiny, as consumers and media corporations go head to head in a power struggle that could determine the future of intellectual property in Europe.
2006-07-11 - DVD-Recordable - BPI Petitions ISPs Over p2p
Author: Story source: bbc.co.uk.
Summary: The recorded music industry's trade group has invited internet service providers (ISPs) to "enforce their own terms of use" and freeze the accounts of customers who illegally fileshare.
2006-07-11 - Netimperative - ISPs told to pull plug on music pirates
Summary: The British recorded music industry has written to Internet service providers Tiscali and Cable & Wireless requesting that they suspend 59 Internet accounts used for illegal filesharing. The move the first time that the BPI has moved on ISPs rather than individuals to crack dowm on Internet piracy.
2006-07-11 - The Register - Cable & Wireless likely to suspend file-sharers' accounts
Author: OUT-LAW.COM

The 42 Cable & Wireless customers accused by the music industry of unauthorised file-sharing look likely to have their accounts withdrawn in line with a demand from industry body the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). The BPI wrote to C&W demanding that the 42 accounts be withdrawn because users were uploading music without permission. They now look likely to get their way.

2006-07-10 - The Register - BPI: ISPs must give filesharers the boot
Author: Lucy Sherriff
Summary: Music industry body, the BPI, is demanding that two ISPs close the accounts of 59 internet users after it presented them with what it calls "unequivocal evidence of copyright infringement" on their accounts.

France

2006-07-12 - International Herald Tribune - The End User: Digital discord
Author: Victoria Shannon
Summary: Tiscali, the European Internet service provider, and the British trade group representing record companies are locked in an unproductive squabble that goes deeper than just the issue of music piracy. The two, which normally work together to encourage a bigger market for legal digital music purchases, have been conducting their joint business this week by press release, making public an underlying mutual discontent.

Netherlands

2006-07-12 - Telecom Paper - Tiscali rejects BPI request to disconnect users
Summary: Tiscali has denied a request from the UK recording industry association BPI to disconnect 17 users allegedly infringing copyright through file sharing.

Australia

2006-07-12 - iTnews - Internet providers urged to lock out file-sharers
Author: Jeffrey Goldfarb, Reuters
Summary: The British music industry stepped up its campaign against illegal file-sharing on Monday by demanding that two internet service providers suspend 59 accounts it believes are being used to swap copyrighted songs. The British Phonographic Industry trade group called on Cable & Wireless and Tiscali to join a crusade against consumer practices that have undermined music companies in recent years.
2006-07-12 - PC World Magazine - UK music group enlists ISPs in piracy battle
Author: Jeremy Kirk
Summary: The British Phonographic Industry is trying to enlist ISPs (Internet service providers) in its battle against illegal file sharing, a move that could allow it to target more music traders and reduce the amount of time it spends in court. It was unclear how much help it will get from the ISPs, however, with one service provider saying the initiative is "not really a welcome approach."
2006-07-11 - Australian IT - ISP refuses to hand over names
Author: Jeffrey Goldfarb
Summary: ITALIAN internet service provider Tiscali has rebuked demands by British music companies to reveal the names of some of its customers who allegedly used the network to share songs illegally. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) trade group said on Monday it had "unequivocal" evidence about 17 of Tiscali's customers and 42 from fellow telecoms company Cable & Wireless to support its claims. Tiscali, an Italy-based company with about 1.2 million broadband customers in Britain, said it had received only extracts of a screenshot of one of its customers and nothing to support the allegations against the 16 others.
2006-07-11 - Australian IT - ISP refuses to hand over names
Author: Jeffrey Goldfarb
Summary: ITALIAN internet service provider Tiscali has rebuked demands by British music companies to reveal the names of some of its customers who allegedly used the network to share songs illegally. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) trade group said on Monday it had "unequivocal" evidence about 17 of Tiscali's customers and 42 from fellow telecoms company Cable & Wireless to support its claims.

India

2006-07-11 - TechWhack - Tiscali refuses to reveal names of customers claimed to be internet pirates
Author: Sukhdeep
Summary: Tiscali refuses to reveal names of customers claimed to be internet pirates. UK based Internet service provider Tiscali has refused to reveal details of their customers whose information was demanded by the British music companies. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has provided some information to the company related to 17 of Tiscali’s customers and asked them to provide them with details on the customer. BPI claims that these users indulged in internet piracy practices.
2006-07-11 - Moneycontrol Tech Blog - British Music Industry asks ISPs to shut down 59 accounts
Author: Priyanka Pradhan
Summary: The British phonographic industry is attempting to crack down on music piracy in Britain by turning its attention to Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The association has now demanded that two internet providers suspend 59 accounts. The BPI, which represents hundreds of record companies, as well as manufacturers and distributors, says it has gathered enough evidence against these accounts to prove that they have been using pirated file-sharing networks.

Canada

2006-07-11 - Reuters Canada - Tiscali snubs music industry demand for names
Author: Jeffrey Goldfarb
Summary: Internet service provider Tiscali on Tuesday rebuked demands by British music companies to reveal the names of some of its customers who allegedly used the network to share songs illegally.
2006-07-11 - NewsFactor Network - British Music Industry Warns ISPs
Author: Jay Wrolstad
Summary: British music industry representatives are requesting that Cable & Wireless and Tiscali block the suspect accounts until those users sign an agreement to stop their illegal activities. The group did not indicate that it would take the ISPs to court, but is asking that they "get their house in order."

USA

American reporting on the UK incident

2006-07-12 - Slyck - Tiscali Rejects Initial BPI Request
Author: Thomas Mennecke
Summary: The BPI’s effort to streamline their enforcement approach has already hit its first obstacle. Out of the 59 suspected Internet accounts, 17 belong to Tiscali. But suspending those accounts will not be the cakewalk the BPI had hoped for. In a written response to the BPI, Tiscali informs the trade organization that only one suspected account has enough supporting evidence to warrant not even a suspension – but a warning.
2006-07-12 - FOX News - British ISP Refuses to Shut Down File-Sharing Accounts
Author: Via Reuters
Summary: Internet service provider Tiscali on Tuesday rebuked demands by British music companies to reveal the names of some of its customers who allegedly used the network to share songs illegally.
2006-07-11 - Slyck - BPI hits File-Sharing Brits
Author: Thomas Mennecke
Summary: For the last three years, the typical copyright enforcement policy relied almost entirely on suing individual file-sharers. The major entertainment representatives, such as the RIAA, IFPI, MPAA, and to a lesser extent, the BPI, have all used a similar strategy in their efforts to deter unauthorized file-sharing. The effectiveness of this program has often been called into question.
2006-07-11 - Washington Post - Tiscali snubs music industry demand for names
Author: Jeffrey Goldfarb, Reuters
Summary: Internet service provider Tiscali on Tuesday rebuked demands by British music companies to reveal the names of some of its customers who allegedly used the network to share songs illegally
2006-07-11 - Computerworld - UK music group demands ISPs cut off file-sharing users
Author: Jeremy Kirk
Summary: The British Phonographic Industry is trying to enlist Internet service providers in its battle against illegal file sharing, a move that could allow it to target more music traders and reduce the amount of time it spends in court. It was unclear how much help it will get from the ISPs, however, with one service provider saying the initiative is "not really a welcome approach."
2006-07-11 - TechSpot News - File-sharing focus shifts to ISPs
Author: Derek Sooman
Summary: In the UK, the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) has taken the fight against illegal music sharing on the Net to the next level - they have asked the Internet service providers Tiscali and Cable & Wireless to suspend 59 accounts used for illegal file sharing. This is a change in established stance for the BPI, as up until now they had focused on individuals, rather than other firms. Now this appears set to change.

MPAA in America

2006-07-25 - Slashdot - Shawn Hogan Takes on MPAA
Author: IAmTheDave
Summary: "Shawn Hogan, CEO of Digital Point Solutions, has found himself on the receiving end of an MPAA lawsuit claiming he downloaded a copy of 'Meet the Fockers' on Bittorrent. Mr. Hogan both denies the charges as well as claims he already owns the movie on DVD. After being asked to pay a $2500 extortion fee, Mr. Hogan lawyered up and has vowed to challenge and help change the MPAA's tactics. 'They're completely abusing the system,' Hogan says. Although expecting to pay well over $100,000 to defend himself, he claims 'I would spend well into the millions on this.'"
Retrieved from "https://wiki.openrightsgroup.org/w/index.php?title=BPI_telling_ISPs_to_freeze_the_accounts&oldid=49736"