7digital enters piracy debate

A leading provider of digital music is to offer tailored download services to ISPs looking to prevent piracy on their networks.

7digital.com is aiming to appeal to ISPs in the UK, six of whom have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that commits them to sending warning letters to customers whose accounts have been used for illegal file-sharing.

The company is offering ISPs 'white-label' services, where customers can buy music direct from the ISP and have it included in their monthly bill, or a partnership that would allow the ISP to create their own download service at minimal cost.

Ben Drury, chief executive of 7digital said: "We've always believed that the best way to combat piracy is to offer incredibly compelling legal services with great pricing and quality of service.

"ISPs already have existing billing relationships with their customers providing internet access alongside services including email, anti-virus protection and online back-up. With legal MP3 sales rocketing and 7digital pioneering the way, we are in a unique position to offer this full suite of services to suit individual ISP's requirements," Drury continued.

7digital.com said it was "in discussions with several UK ISPs" about the services, though did not name the providers it was talking to.

One analyst praised the idea and said that it could see the introduction of market-leading music download services.

"I'd like to see one or more of the ISPs work with 7digital to persuade the labels to license to something genuinely new that would set the ISP apart not just from its indigenous peers but from all other European ISPs. Now is the time for brave adventure," said Mark Mulligan of Jupiter Research.

The recent agreement between ISPs and the music industry comes after years of bickering about the issue of online piracy and how it should be policed.

The government's involvement in brokering a deal between the two sides will see warning letters sent to people using their connections for illegal downloads and further discussions on the best way to deal with persistent pirates.

www.7digital.com
www.jupiterresearch.com