Get ready for graduated response - coming to an ISP near you July 12
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has confirmed that US ISPs including Comcast, Cablevision, Verizon, and Time Warner Cable will start implementing policies designed to discourage customers from illegally downloading music, movies and software starting July 12.
The RIAA hopes that this could become the most effective antipiracy program ever. Seeing that ISPs are the Internet gatekeepers, the Association believes that network providers will be in the best position to fight illegal filesharing.
The program, commonly referred to as “graduated response”, will require ISPs to send out one or two “educational notices” to customers accused of downloading copyrighted content illegally. This will then be followed by “confirmation notices” asking them to confirm they have received a notice including a further 'final warning'. If the customer continues to pirate material, the ISP has a list of penalties from which to choose from: Anything from throttling your connection down to 56Kbps to outright service termination. Have fun with your 100Mbps now ;)
