Earlier this month we reported upon the landmark agreement between the music industry and a whole host of ISP which would see those engaging in illegal file-sharing punished in some way by their ISP. Initially it looked as though ISPs would take a ?three strikes and you are out' approach which would see those engaging in illegal file-sharing warned and then cut off if they continued to re-offend. However, it looks as though the agreement is starting to unravel.
In public the BPI (British Phonographic Institute), the leading association for the UK music industry, has claimed that all ISPs are willing to discuss the possibility of cutting off re-offenders from their internet connections, but CarPhone Warehouse are saying something totally different!
CarPhone Warehouse, which took over the AOL broadband business last year, has stated that they will not disconnect those who re-offend although they will warn them there may have been an offence and advise them of the legal situation. It is not clear at this stage what the other ISPs in the UK are planning to do, but while there are still ongoing talks they appear to be approaching something of a brick wall.