Internet server providers are preparing to roll out a new customer-targeting Copyright Alert System in the coming weeks, Billboard reports. Verizon, AT&T, Comcast, Cablevision, and Time Warner Cable are among a group of ISPs that have teamed with the RIAA and its film equivalent the MPAA to design a tiered set of warnings and responses to subscribers who share files illegally.
Ugh, you stupid bastards. You realize this sets you up to be legally liable for all the crap your customers do, right? You know better than this!
Also, fucking NET NEUTRALITY HAVE YOU HEARD OF IT. Of course you have; you just don’t care if it gives you an excuse to charge more for prime bandwidth.
People, if you want to know who to blame on this, it’s Congress’ fault. Several years ago, they yanked the rug out from under the FCC on the issue of the internet, so functionally the FCC has no power to make any binding decisions regarding what’s acceptable behavior for ISPs and what’s acceptable to demand of them, and all those decisions have to go through Congress. Which doesn’t know what it’s talking about on this issue and doesn’t particularly care, and would prefer to deal with issues where the members of the Senate can solicit more money from lobbyists.
I hate the fucking Senate.
Downloaders Beware: Copyright Alert System Arises as Torrent Sites Enter the Cloud