BPI send anti-piracy message to filesharers : 25:3:2004

Record companies’ trade association the BPI (British Phonographic Industry) announced today that it will begin an instant messaging campaign on peer-to-peer filesharing networks warning users that they risk legal action.

The aim of the campaign is to make users of peer-to-peer file sharing networks aware that they are infringing copyright law and encourage them to disable the filesharing facility on their PCs.

The move comes as the BPI released new research into the downloading of music – which revealed that downloaders spent a third less on music in 2003 than they did in 2002.

BPI chairman Peter Jamieson said, “People who trade or swap or share music files illegally over the internet open themselves up to the possibility of legal action. With this campaign we are taking this message directly to people’s computer desktops.”

File sharing networks such as KaZaA and Grokster have an in-built messaging service that allows users to send anonymous messages to each other which appear on the screen while they are online.

The file sharing network itself enables the BPI to find unauthorised music files, and allows the sending of an instant message stating that a user is infringing copyright and breaking the law.

The BPI is focusing its efforts in this campaign on the so-called serial uploaders who are responsible for uploading most files to peer-to-peer networks.

“The target of this campaign is the serial uploader,” says Jamieson. “These are people making available literally hundreds and sometimes thousands of files available to allcomers.”

Research shows that 16% of peer-to-peer network users account for 74% of the files which are available on them [Source: NPD].

“Our message to these people is clear, disable the file-sharing facility on your PC or face the consequences.”

The message to uploaders reads as follows:

“WARNING

The file-sharing network you are connected to indicates that you are offering music to others from your computer.

Doing this without permission from the copyright owner is illegal.

Such actions damage everyone involved in creating and investing in music.

Copyright law exists to protect those creators and investors.

When you break the law, you risk legal penalties.

Avoid that risk. Do not offer, download or distribute music to others without permission on a file-sharing service like this. Disable the 'share' feature, or uninstall the filesharing software.

This message has been sent to you by British Phonographic Industry Ltd on behalf of its members and those of Phonographic Performance Ltd - more than 95 % of UK record companies.”

Further information

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