BPI PRESS RELEASE | BPI calls for immediate action by ISPs to discourage illegal freeloading : 28:1:2008

Cannes, France.

UK record labels body the BPI today called for internet service providers (ISPs) to implement procedures that would help reduce the huge scale of music piracy on their networks.

The BPI said that after more than a year of negotiations, ISPs in the UK are still resisting implementing a three-step procedure that would mean account holders would receive a notice from their ISP informing them if their account has been used to distribute music illegally, with further action (such as suspension or termination of the account) being taken only if the notice is ignored.

BPI Chief Executive Geoff Taylor said:

“For years access to free music has helped to drive ISPs' businesses while they have paid nothing to the creators of that music, and done nothing to help address rampant piracy on their networks. Their wilful blindness is causing tremendous harm to British music, and the music sector, with support from Government, is united in the conviction that the situation must change.

“We have tried to persuade ISPs to implement solutions that could avoid the need to take action against broadband customers that use illegal P2P. For more than a year, we have been negotiating with them to implement reasonable procedures under which they would advise customers if their account is being used to distribute music illegally, and then, if the advice is ignored, enforce their own terms and conditions about abuse of the account. But UK ISPs refuse to do even that on any meaningful scale.

“The music business wants to partner with ISPs to create new music services that would deliver even greater value for consumers, creators, and to ISPs. An internet that rewards creativity - while offering music lovers unprecedented choice and value for money - is in the long term interest of all of us.

“The time has come for ISPs to stop dragging their feet and start showing some responsibility, by taking reasonable steps to counter illegal music freeloading. Their failure to do so until now is extraordinary - and it can't be allowed to go on."

Ends

The BPI (formerly British Phonographic Industry) represents the UK recorded music business.

The BPI (formerly called British Phonographic Industry) represents the British recorded music business. Its membership comprises more than 450 music companies large and small.

Timeline

2001

The first generation p2p service Napster closes in the US after RIAA litigation. BPI urges UK consumers not to download illegally as early digital music services are developed.

2002

BPI opens talks with internet service providers about how to tackle copyright theft.

2004

BPI begins issuing instant messages to UK p2p uploaders, warning that their actions are illegal and expose them to legal risk.

2004-5

Legal cases are brought against UK p2p uploaders. 150 UK ISP customers faced legal action for p2p uploading. BPI partners with charity Childnet to publish free guide for parents on how to avoid legal risk.

2006

Having won p2p uploader test cases, BPI urges ISPs to act on evidence and cut off customers of theirs who are abusing their broadband accounts. UK government's Gowers Review calls for ISPs to reach agreement with music industry over preventing p2p piracy. "End of 2007" set as deadline for ISP agreement.

2008

More than 6 million ISP customers use their broadband accounts to illegally download and distribute music online. More than 150 million downloads have been sold in the UK since iTunes' launch in 2004, but illegal consumption dwarfs legal sales by a factor of 20 to one.