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Image Source: CCI BY BRIAN BONDUS
ANCHOR CANDICE AVILES Content producers and internet service providers
are teaming up to slow down online piracy. The Copyright Alert System or six strike system
started Monday and is aimed at educating and informing people of their copyright infringement
instead of punishing them.
Internet service providers will alert people downloading copyrighted
materials first with an informative message. If the illegal downloading continues users
will have to watch educational videos or may have their internet speeds slowed down. Legal
action has not come up as a possibility yet.
So this sounds great, but is this going to really
work?
TorrentFreak says illegal downloaders can use BitTorrent proxies and VPN services
to hide from the alert system.
“Making it impossible for tracking companies to identify
who is doing the file-sharing.”
Also, what about free wifi? Can you just go to McDonalds
or Starbucks to download Justin Bieber’s latest CD? Opposing Views doesnt see the plan
working.
“So, now we get to watch people get falsely accused, those with open WiFi
suddenly have to fear bogus slow downs to their networks and other assorted collateral
damage. Oh, and does anyone actually expect to see a sudden spike in ‘sales’?”
And
speaking of falsely accused, WebProNews says the copyright holders have all the power in
the relationship and they can accuse you of piracy with little proof. You can appeal the
accusation for $35, but according to WebProNews …
“It’s not worth fighting, and
the content holders know it.”
Each internet service provider is responsible for
issuing its own consequences after strikes. Comcast released its plan Monday and other
industry giants including AT&T, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, and Cablevision are expected
to follow later this week.