Update: U2 – Stick to the Music!
Sep 6, 2010 Copyright, File Sharing, Government, Net Neutrality, Privacy
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Back in January 2010, we criticised U2 front man Bono for warning all creative types to beware of the evils of the Internet and especially us greedy ISP types when it came to illegal file sharing. We recommended Bono should stick to singing.
- opinion.enta.net: Bono – Stick to Singing
Darren Farnden, Head of Marketing
It would appear that U2’s manager, Paul McGuinness, didn’t read our opinion as he’s now thrown in his two cents worth of comment within the August issue of GQ magazine. In it he also slams ISPs for “decimating the music industry” and profiteering from online file sharing, whilst also being the cause of recorded music sales falling.
- gq-magazine.co.uk: How to save the music industry
Like Bono, Mr. McGuinness believes illegal file sharing is the reason for ISPs’ increasing profit margins by suggesting “free content has helped fuel the vast profits of the technology and telecoms industries”. However, as we stated in our original Opinion article ‘Bono – Stick to Singing’ (opinion.enta.net: Bono – Stick to singing), in reality broadband customers continue to demand the fastest broadband at the lowest price which squeezes ISPs’ margins. Those of us within the Internet industry will also know that it is actually more costly to support such infringers due to the extra bandwidth they consume. Our increasing revenues are more likely to be down to the innovative new technologies we deploy and the additional services we provide to add value to customers’ experience. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Copyright, File Sharing, Government, Net Neutrality, Privacy
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Loading ...DEA: The debate continues…
Aug 5, 2010 21CN, Copyright, Digital Divide, File Sharing, Government, Regulation
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In April 2010 the controversial Digital Economy Bill (DEB) was passed through the parliamentary wash-up and hastily implemented into law, much to the annoyance of many ISPs, Internet users and industry bodies. Then in May we saw history made with a new coalition government taking power. We were initially hopeful that the new government would put right the wrongs of the rushed DEA (Digital Economy Act) but have since seen little in the way of progress. Yet despite this lack of government action, over the last three months the industry news has continued to provide a steady stream of DEA related updates. We take a look at what’s been going on and provide you with an update.
Darren Farnden, Head of Marketing
To repeal or not to repeal?
It appears the proposed tackling of copyright infringement is still the main focus of unease within the DEA. At the end of June, Liberal Democrat MP, Julian Huppert, tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) to repeal sections 9 – 18, the sections that cover the issue of illegal copyright infringement. Unfortunately the EDM gained little support and appears to have dropped off the radar.
Tags: 21CN, Copyright, Digital Divide, File Sharing, Government, Regulation
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Irish music firm bullies ISP into four strikes policy
May 28, 2010 Copyright, File Sharing
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Ireland has become the first nation to introduce a controversial three strikes (well actually four strikes) policy in order to tackle illegal file sharing. The move will see Eircom, the country’s largest ISP, target alleged offenders based on IP address information supplied by IRMA (Irish Recorded Music Association). What makes this particularly concerning is that this ‘policy’ has been introduced following court action against Eircom which saw IRMA win their claim that “Eircom was not doing enough to protect the intellectual property of its [IRMA’s] members.”
Darren Farnden, Head of Marketing
Eircom has now been forced to implement the controversial four strikes policy which will consist of a letter to the alleged culprit followed by a phone call from a dedicated team at Eircom (no prizes for guessing who will pick up the tab for all of this). If the activity persists the customer will be disconnected from the Internet for a week and, if that still does not deter them, they will be disconnected for a whole year. The policy will be reviewed after 3 months when even tougher rules could be implemented including permanent disconnection. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Copyright, File Sharing
(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Out with the old and in with the new
May 20, 2010 Business, Digital Divide, File Sharing, Government, Regulation
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What does the new coalition government have in store for the Internet industry?
Well this month has seen history made with the formation of our new coalition government. As David Cameron and Nick Clegg start out on their new partnership we take a look at each party’s previous stance on several topical industry issues and suggest how we think the new coalition government will go about tackling them.
Darren Farnden, Head of Marketing
Reviewing the DEA
Let’s start with one of the industry’s biggest issues. The DEA (Digital Economy Act) has been one of the most talked about topics with debate starting right back at its conception, but the most infuriating thing of all about the DEB was the ridiculous way in which this controversial Bill was rushed through the wash-up and into law.
During the election campaign the Liberal Democrat’s Nick Clegg stated that he believed this was a “stitch-up”. He said “We did our best to prevent the Digital Economy Bill being rushed through at the last moment. It badly needed more debate and amendment, and we are extremely worried that it will now lead to completely innocent people having their Internet connections cut off. It was far too heavily weighted in favour of the big corporations and those who are worried about too much information becoming available. It badly needs to be repealed, and the issues revisited.” Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: Business, Digital Divide, File Sharing, Government, Regulation
(No Ratings Yet) Loading ...Secrecy shroud lifted on Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement
Apr 26, 2010 Copyright, File Sharing, Government, Privacy, Regulation
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The controversial secrecy surrounding the ACTA (Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) discussions has finally been cleared as last week the EU published working text from the last round of discussions held in Wellington, New Zealand earlier this month.
Darren Farnden, Head of Marketing
Previously the Governments involved have been severely criticised for the secretive manner in which the talks have been held and their refusal to publish any details. After two years they have finally backed down and a working text document has been released. We expressed our concerns regarding this issue in our previous opinion article:
- Entanet Opinion: ACTA secrecy breeds suspicion
The working text document starts by positioning the purpose of the talks stating “The ACTA initiative aims to establish international standards for enforcing intellectual property rights in order to fight more efficiently the growing problem of counterfeiting and piracy.”
Tags: Copyright, File Sharing, Government, Privacy, Regulation
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