Virgin considers piracy policy

Virgin Media is in talks about implementing a policy that could see customers persistently downloading copyrighted material without consent to be cut off.

The ISP, which currently has some 3.6 million customers in the UK, is having discussions with the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), which has previously proposed a 'three-strike' policy, similar to that used in France.

Under such a scheme, a person thought to be illegally downloading would get a warning letter for a first offence, a second offence could warrant a suspension of their internet service and a third would lead to the offender being cut off for good.

The company confirmed to Web User that it was in talks with the BPI with a view to coming to a voluntary arrangement that suited both sides.

However, it has not yet decided if the arrangement would be based on the three-strike policy that the BPI favours.

A Virgin Media spokesperson said: "We have been in discussions with rights holders organisations about how a voluntary scheme could work. As a responsible ISP, Virgin Media is taking this problem seriously and would favour a sensible voluntary solution."

BPI chief executive Geoff Taylor said: "It is true that the BPI is talking to major ISPs, including Virgin Media, about how we can work in partnership to create a richer legal music downloading experience that benefits everyone and reduce online music theft."

However, the BPI suggested that ISPs have been dragging their heels on this issue in the past.

"While we are encouraged that Virgin Media agree illegal downloading is a serious problem that they should help us address, years of talks have not been backed by action. Time is now of the essence," Taylor said.

The government said recently that it would look to introduce legislation to protect rightsholders in the UK if ISPs didn't implement voluntary agreements by April 2009.

If Virgin Media was to implement the three-strike policy, it would be only the second UK ISP to do so, after Tiscali briefly trialled the arrangement last year.

More than 20 Tiscali customers were cut off as a result but the company later ended the policy fearing potential legal action from people who had been disconnected.

www.virginmedia.com
www.bpi.co.uk
www.tiscali.co.uk