Major US ISPs set to limit repeat infringers with throttling, limiting access to 200 websites, and copyright reeducation school

Four of the largest ISPs in the USA are on the verge of approving a deal with the RIAA and MPAA that'll require ISPs to limit people who repeatedly infringe copyright to visiting only 200 websites, throttled bandwidth, and/or sending them to copyright re-education school.

These are characterized as an alternative to outright disconnection, but as the entertainment execs behind it know that heavily throttled connections or limited access to a small collection of websites are tantamount to disconnection when it comes to the diverse benefits accrue to Internet users. And being sent to a copyright school designed by the entertainment industry isn't likely to deliver a decent understanding of education.

After years of negotiations, a group of bandwidth providers that includes AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon are closer than ever to striking a deal with media and entertainment companies that would call for them to establish new and tougher punishments for customers who refuse to stop using their networks to pirate films, music and other intellectual property, multiple sources told CNET.

The sources cautioned that a final agreement has yet to be signed and that the partnership could still unravel but added that at this point a deal is within reach and is on track to be unveiled sometime next month...

Participating ISPs are given plenty of choices on how to respond to the toughest cases. They can select from a "menu" of responses outlined in the plan, such as throttling down an accused customer's bandwidth speed or limit their access to the Web. For example, a suspected pirate may be allowed to visit only the top 200 Web sites until the illegal file sharing stops. The subscriber may also be required to participate in a program that educates them on copyright law and the rights of content creators. In the past, a graduated response was also supposed to lead to a complete termination of service for chronic file sharers. Kicking someone off a network is not required under the proposed agreement, the sources said. As for who pays for all this, the ISPs and copyright owners will share the costs of operating the program, sources said.

Exclusive: Top ISPs poised to adopt graduated response to piracy


(via Ars Technica)







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Top ISPs poised to act as Internet gatekeepers to curb piracy

After years of negotiations with media and entertainment companies, some of the country’s largest Internet service providers, including AT&T, Comcast, and Verizon are teaming up to increase efforts in the unending fight against piracy, according to a CNET report.

The group of U.S. bandwidth providers aims to establish “new and tougher punishments for customers who refuse to stop using their networks to pirate films, music and other intellectual property,” multiple sources told CNET.

Under the proposed plan, participating bandwidth providers would adopt a “graduated response” to subscribers who repeatedly infringe copyrights. ISPs would first issue written warnings, called Copyright Alerts, to customers accused by copyright owners of downloading materials illegally via peer-to-peer sites, the sources said. Should a subscriber fail to heed the warning, an ISP could choose to send numerous follow-up notices. Eventually, the plan requires ISPs to take more serious action.

The respective trade groups for the four major record companies and six top Hollywood film studios, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), have long been in negotiations with ISPs to act as an “Internet gatekeeper” in dealing with piracy. In addition, the White House was also instrumental in encouraging the parties to reach an agreement, the sources confirmed.

The sources cautioned that a final agreement has yet to be signed but added that at this point a deal is “within reach and is on track” to be unveiled sometime next month.

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