The BPI is asking two British ISPs to disconnect 59 customers who it claims are using the Internet to share copyright protected material. Calling for ISPs to "put their houses in order and pull the plug on these people", BPI is attempting an end run around the courts by requesting that the ISPs become involved in enforcement.
The British Phonographic Institute claims to have identified 17 IP addresses of Tiscali customers, and 42 IP Addresses belonging to Cable & Wireless which it says were used to upload "significant quantities of music owned by BPI members".
Tiscali told the Beeb, "We do not automatically suspend customer accounts on request, but on occasion do so pending investigation. We are reviewing the information the BPI has provided and will respond appropriately."
I'm left to wonder what happens if the ISPs fail to comply with BPI's wishes. Will BPI sue the ISPs and attempt to codify service provider enforcement of copyright policing duty? A recent statement by BPI chair Peter Jamieson could hold the key, "We have said for months that it is unacceptable for ISPs to turn a blind eye to industrial-scale copyright infringement"
It's nice to know what Jamieson finds "unacceptable" practice in an industry he's unaffiliated with. What is unacceptable to me are evasive maneuvers such as these where BPI conspires to use its power to circumvent the rule of law.[via BBC News]
