Posted: July 24th, 2008 | Author: Catherine | Filed under: General | Tags: customers, data base, isp, piracy, privacy, security, Surveillance Society | 1 Comment »
The United Kingdom has been called the ‘Surveillance Society’. Citizens’ activities are monitored and kept in various data bases. It seems that many people in the UK will find that their internet service provider (ISP) has joined the surveillance movement:
“Six of the UK’s biggest net providers have agreed a plan with the music industry to tackle piracy online.
The deal, negotiated by the government, will see hundreds of thousands of letters sent to net users suspected of illegally sharing music.”
link: Net firms in music pirates deal
The question remains on how these suspected people will be identified. How can the ISP identify a possible incidence of piracy as opposed to a legitimate file transfer? The obvious issues are privacy and security of the customers’ online activities. It seems that the internet customers will have to prepare for the day when it becomes necessary to prove their innocence.
Catherine Forsythe
Posted: June 18th, 2008 | Author: Catherine | Filed under: General | Tags: France, isp, legislation, piracy, police, privacy, security, surveillance | 2 Comments »
In a legislative move to stem piracy, France has introduced legislation that would ban violators from the internet:
“Anyone in France who persists in illicit downloading of music or films will be barred from broadband access under a controversial new law that makes the country a pioneer in combating internet piracy.
“There is no reason that the internet should be a lawless zone,” President Sarkozy told the Cabinet today, as it endorsed the “three-strikes-and-you’re-out” scheme, which, from next January, will hit illegal downloaders where it hurts. Under a cross-industry agreement, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) must cut off access for up to a year for third-time offenders.”
link: France to ban illegal downloaders from using the internet under three-strikes rule
This turns the internet service provider (ISP) into the ‘internet police’. What is to distinguish an illegal download from a legitimate file transfer? This opens issues such as privacy, security and surveillance. If there is a large file download, will the ISP check the source and the downloading frequency to determine whether it is a work related matter or possible illegitimate file sharing? Further, what legal jeopardy does this place on the ISP, both in terms of protecting copyright material and protecting the customers who support their enterprise? It just places the internet service provider in an untenable, no-win situation.
Catherine Forsythe
Posted: March 3rd, 2008 | Author: Catherine | Filed under: Arts | Tags: free sampler, internet, marketing, nin, nine inch nails, piracy | No Comments »
It seems that a new method of marketing is emerging on the Internet. It began with Radiohead and is continuing with Nine Inch Nails. Online, Nine Inch Nails is offering a free sampler. For the new album, the fan determines how much to pay (or donate):
“…Nine Inch Nails’ new album Ghosts I-IV, a 36-track instrumental album, was made available on the band’s Web site, NIN.com, today.
The album is available in several different formats, similar to the way British band Radiohead offered their latest release, In Rainbows, last year.”
link: Nine Inch Nails follow Radiohead with album download
It seems like a ‘fan friendly’ method of promoting new material. It allows fans to support their favorite artist according to how much they value the download - and avoid any issues of piracy.
Catherine Forsythe
Director of Operations
FlyingHamster
