14 DAY TRIAL // Major internet service providers in the United Kingdom are discussing the possibilities of shutting down websites that share illegal content, in the effort of to aid copyright owners in the battle against those on whose account they loose large amounts of money each year.
According to The Reg, the government is encouraging ISPs and media industry representatives to come to an agreement without them having to promote and enforce harsh laws.
A source admits that “a signing ceremony or even a public announcement” should not be expected as “ it's going to be more of a voluntary solution through accretion." At least it's a step forward in the long process of making regulations that should put an end to the ever present chaos that revolves around this issue.
Service providers say that they're not so willing to act on their own, but they are however open to the use of court orders against major bootleggers such as the recently shutdown Newzbin2. Industry members state that mass website shutdowns will not be seen, but if a certain site's activity is asked to be terminated by a court order they will act on the base of that document.
The largest concern is presented by the smaller ISPs which might have a problem implementing blockage solutions due to the costs involved, making businesses less efficient from a financial point of view.
Anti-copyright groups are also not happy with these measures and they will oppose any measure that might be adopted without their consent.
Many voices claim that by shutting down pirates in the UK will only make them relocate their businesses elsewhere, the problem being only placed in the hands of others and not totally resolved.
“Also, anonymizing software may make it more difficult to track the source and destination of traffic, further complicating matters. Pirated content has always been a game of cat-and-mouse, with the net effect being a continuing thriving pirate community,” as Cameron Camp reveals on ESET's threat blog.