UK record label trade body the BPI has published a web page giving its side to the much reported ISP/P2P debate, and explaining what it is look for from the internet service providers and why.
As previously reported, the record and wider music industry have been increasingly calling on the ISPs to take on a more proactive role in policing the illegal distribution of unlicensed content on the internet. One proposal is that ISPs monitor content traffic on their servers and issue warnings to customers who access or make available illegal sources of music, ultimately cutting off consumers who ignore those warnings.
The government has indicated that it also sees the ISPs taking on a policing role in the online copyright domain, and is encouraging the net firms and content owners to work together to find a workable solution. But the net firms are not altogether keen to take on any such role, and have so far resisted the record industry's suggestions, despite ministers indicating they'll force the ISPs into action through legislation if a voluntary system cannot be found.
Earlier this week it was reported that Virgin Media, in its ISP guise, had been talking to the BPI about such a voluntary system and was close to launching something, but both sides denied such talks yesterday, with the former telling reporters: "We have not agreed to the three strikes scheme [where customers get two warnings and are then cut off], not started trials with the BPI or any other rights holder, and not decided to snoop on customers and inspect their data. Our goal is to have an open discussion with rights holders to come to voluntary solution - else the government will anyway. That is all. We certainly won't be progressing anything in the short term, and in the long term, whether we manage to come to a voluntary code or there is government legislation, we would let our customers know well in advance".
As the BPI moved to also deny there had been any especially fruitful talks with Virgin, they also pointed people in the direction of a page on their website which outlines in detail what they are looking for from Planet ISP. They say: "There is little doubt that the widespread availability of music online - illegally and for free - is undermining record labels' ability to generate income, which challenges their ability to maintain investment in new music. ISPs lie at the heart of this problem and should be at the heart of the solution. Working with ISPs to tackle unlawful downloading is clearly just one part of a very big picture. But it's a big part; the single most important thing that can be done by the BPI to help the music business prosper in the digital age".
Those who advocate ISP involvement in policing P2P usage can go to this URL so to nod their heads furiously in agreement - while those of you who own ISPs might want to surf on over so to shake your heads and say "no but yes but no but" or some such.
http://www.bpi.co.uk/isp-partnership