The music industry is now getting more and more slimy in their pursuit of music illegal downloaders. It is one thing to go after those actually performing the activity. Now they are trying to go after the internet service providers of those who use their services for illegal activity. This is just plain ridiculous. To me, that is like suing Ford of GM because drug dealers or drunks use their cars for illegal activities. The argument is that the ISP should shut down the accounts of file downloaders. I don't see that this is the responsibility of internet providers. They provide a service. How that service is used is not their fault and they should not be policing said use. AT&T is not required to monitor what is spoken over their phone lines. Why should an internet provider be held responsible for how their customers use the internet?
Here is part of the article I just read.
Music industry threatens ISPs over piracy
By Nic Fildes
Published: 18 January 2007
The music industry opened up a new front in the war on online music piracy yesterday, threatening to sue internet service providers that allow customers to illegally share copyrighted tracks over their networks.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, or IFPI, said it would take action against internet companies that carry vast amounts of illegally shared files over their networks. It stressed that it would prefer not to pursue such a strategy and is keen to work in partnership with internet providers.
John Kennedy, the chairman of the IFPI, said he had been frustrated by internet companies that have not acted against customers involved in illegal activity. He warned that litigation against ISPs would be instigated "in weeks rather than months". Barney Wragg, the head of EMI's digital music division, said the industry had been left "with no other option" but to pursue ISPs in the courts.
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