Post by doomsdaymachine on Jul 7, 2012 15:31:33 GMT -5
Knowingly uploading or simply downloading copyrighted material from
the Internet will be a criminal offense subject to jail sentences in
the near future. But despite now having the ultimate deterrent, it’s
still not enough for the Recording Industry Association. The group is
now pressing for ISPs to install spying technologies that will
automatically block unauthorized uploads.
Earlier this week, several countries passed an amendment to its
Copyright Laws that will soon give the authorities the power to jail
Internet users for up to two years for simply downloading copyright
material.
Uploading copyright material has been illegal for some time, but the
criminalization of downloading has caused some to worry whether simply
viewing a pirate music video on YouTube could render people liable to
prosecution.
Understandably this kind of talk has the potential to lead to a
climate of fear among Internet media consumers, but if that leads to
increased sales at authorized outlets rightsholders won’t be too
disappointed. In fact, after lobbying hard for this tough copyright
law amendment, that will be very much “mission accomplished.”
Not surprisingly though, even the toughest of sanctions aren’t going
to stop the big recording labels coming back for more mechanisms to
protect their interests. And that they have.
Several music rights groups including the Recording Industry
Association say they have developed a system capable of automatically
detecting unauthorized music uploads before they even hit the
Internet. In order to do that though, Internet service providers are
being asked to integrate the system into their networks.
The system works by spying on the connections of users and comparing
data being uploaded to the Internet with digital fingerprints held in
an external database. The fingerprinting technology employed is from
GraceNote, with intermediate systems provided by Copyright Data
Clearinghouse (CDC).
Once a match is found, rightholders want ISPs to automatically block
the allegedly infringing content. But according to one report, there
may even be requests to send out warning letters to uploaders. If
implemented this would amount to the most invasive “3 strikes” style
regime anywhere in the world.
The system is being promoted as a benefit to ISPs, in the sense that
once installed (and licensed at a cost of around $600 per month) they
can potentially avoid being held liable for copyright infringements
carried out by their customers. Whether not having it installed will
save ISPs from privacy invasion lawsuits remains to be seen.
Rightsholders have tried to get service providers to install this kind
of system before. That case ended in 2011 with the Court of Justice
declaring that spying on Internet users would breach their privacy and
violate the fundamental rights of both the ISP and its subscribers.
the Internet will be a criminal offense subject to jail sentences in
the near future. But despite now having the ultimate deterrent, it’s
still not enough for the Recording Industry Association. The group is
now pressing for ISPs to install spying technologies that will
automatically block unauthorized uploads.
Earlier this week, several countries passed an amendment to its
Copyright Laws that will soon give the authorities the power to jail
Internet users for up to two years for simply downloading copyright
material.
Uploading copyright material has been illegal for some time, but the
criminalization of downloading has caused some to worry whether simply
viewing a pirate music video on YouTube could render people liable to
prosecution.
Understandably this kind of talk has the potential to lead to a
climate of fear among Internet media consumers, but if that leads to
increased sales at authorized outlets rightsholders won’t be too
disappointed. In fact, after lobbying hard for this tough copyright
law amendment, that will be very much “mission accomplished.”
Not surprisingly though, even the toughest of sanctions aren’t going
to stop the big recording labels coming back for more mechanisms to
protect their interests. And that they have.
Several music rights groups including the Recording Industry
Association say they have developed a system capable of automatically
detecting unauthorized music uploads before they even hit the
Internet. In order to do that though, Internet service providers are
being asked to integrate the system into their networks.
The system works by spying on the connections of users and comparing
data being uploaded to the Internet with digital fingerprints held in
an external database. The fingerprinting technology employed is from
GraceNote, with intermediate systems provided by Copyright Data
Clearinghouse (CDC).
Once a match is found, rightholders want ISPs to automatically block
the allegedly infringing content. But according to one report, there
may even be requests to send out warning letters to uploaders. If
implemented this would amount to the most invasive “3 strikes” style
regime anywhere in the world.
The system is being promoted as a benefit to ISPs, in the sense that
once installed (and licensed at a cost of around $600 per month) they
can potentially avoid being held liable for copyright infringements
carried out by their customers. Whether not having it installed will
save ISPs from privacy invasion lawsuits remains to be seen.
Rightsholders have tried to get service providers to install this kind
of system before. That case ended in 2011 with the Court of Justice
declaring that spying on Internet users would breach their privacy and
violate the fundamental rights of both the ISP and its subscribers.