Ofcom Outlines UK's Three Strikes Piracy Policy

UK telecoms watchdog Ofcom has published a new draft code for implementing the Digital Economy Act (DEA). In the code published today, Ofcom explained how ISP's will adopt a three strikes approach to deal with customers accused of copyright infringement.

Initially covering ISPs with more than 400,000 broadbaned-enabled fixed lines (this includes BT, Everything Everywhere, O2, SKy, TalkTalk, and Virgin Media), these providers will be responsible for sending warning letters to customers informing them that their account is connected to reports of suspected copyright infringement. If a customer receives three letters in the space of 12 months, Ofcom says copyright owners may then request anonymous information showing which infringement reports are linked to the customer's account. After that, the copyright holder may seek a court order that would require the ISP to reveal the customer's identity and take legal action for infringement under the Copyright Designs and Patent Act of 1988.

The draft sees several revisions to the original draft code, which was published two years ago in 2010. The first relates to evidence-gathering procedures employed by copyright owners. These must now be approved by Ofcom, as opposed to by the copyright owners themselves, and Ofcom said it plans to sponsor the development of a publicly-available standard to promote good practice in this arena. The new draft also specifies that warning letters sent to customers must also detail just how many copyright infringement reports are connected to their account.

Lastly, Ofcom has changed the appeals process a little bit. Ofcom said today that customers will have the right to challenge allegations through an independent appeals body with transparent, accessible appeals procedures. Subscribers will have 20 working days to appeal an allegation of infringement. Additionally, Ofcom has removed the ability for subscribers to appeal on any grounds. Subscribers must now do so on grounds specified in the Digital Economy Act.

Ofcom has said it will now consult on the revised draft code, which will be subject to review by the European Commission before being laid in Parliament at the end of this year. The watchdog expects the first warning letters to be sent out in early 2014. 

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  • Chainzsaw
    Has anyone seen Pirate Radio?
    Reply
  • aoneone
    ChainzsawHas anyone seen Pirate Radio?
    No.
    Reply
  • RADIO_ACTIVE
    The man sucks...
    Reply
  • aqualipt
    If a customer receives three letters in the space of 12 months, Ofcom says copyright owners may then request anonymous information showing which infringement reports are linked to the customer's account.

    So that basically gives our information to copyright owners....NICE!

    in fact, i hope PIPA and SOPA bills get approved, censor everything, only then, people will realise how much the goverment and corps are fu**ing us and do something about rather than useless pacific protests
    Reply
  • dalethepcman
    If you are smart enough to steal copyrighted material, and simultaneously dumb enough to ignore the first two letters, then you deserve it.

    This effectively does nothing but force English torrent users to switch ISP's once a year.
    Reply
  • Fantastic... I am waiting for my first letter.

    At that point, I shall be taking this to court!

    So many computers are logged on my network in the average week, some with torrent clients running on them! They do not belong to me, they are just being repaired by me!

    Simply put.... an IP Address does not mean a person!

    I am prepared to fight that in court!

    What about open public wifi, how exactly are they going to police that, or does it mean an end to open wifi!

    "After that, the copyright holder may seek a court order that would require the ISP to reveal the customer's identity and take legal action for infringement under the Copyright Designs and Patent Act of 1988."

    Go on, try it on, see you in court Mofo's, you prove i am the one who clicked the download button!

    Problem is, many people will fall for this fleecing tactic, which is wrong..

    finally, I do not pirate, don't feel the need! Not really anything out there I want that bad that I cant buy anyway.
    Reply
  • cushgod
    The revolution is coming.
    Reply
  • inerax
    Guess that $4.95 proxy will come in handy....... best $5 ever spent.
    Reply
  • jehanne
    Torin', Torin', Torin' Keep those boxes Torin', Rawhide!!!
    Reply
  • AntiZig
    coming soon to the ISP near you!
    Reply