ISPs urged to build database of P2P offenders

The Federation Against Software Theft (Fast) has called for ISPs to build a central database of users that could be used to block persistent file sharers.

John Lovelock, chief executive at Fast, told vnunet.com that his organisation is able to identify people using peer-to-peer applications to trade in pirated software.

The organisation would be willing to hand over the evidence to ISPs if they were prepared to take action against offending users.

"If the intellectual property industry can provide evidence for the courts then we can provide the same generally to ISPs," said Lovelock.

He explained that this course of action would be cheaper than going through the courts, and would allow for a much faster reaction against software pirates.

In cases where an offender was identified it would be up to the ISP to decide whether to warn the user or cut off their internet access.

But Lovelock called for ISPs to create a central database of persistent offenders, so that those who carried on file sharing would be blacklisted and unable to get internet access.

"People will see being shut down completely as a deterrent," he said.

See also:

EU backs Telefónica in file-sharing case

European ISPs do not have to hand over user data in civil cases  20 Jul 2007

Germany in court over telecoms laws

European Commission wants German market to be more open  29 Jun 2007

Tech firms 'colluding' in web censorship

Amnesty International accuses web giants of hypocrisy  08 Jun 2007

Britain a nation of web addicts

UK consumers spend more time surfing than watching TV  07 Jun 2007

Global online censorship rising fast

OpenNet Initiative finds 26 governments blocking access to 'sensitive' sites  18 May 2007

Paid video downloads facing extinction

Forrester declares pay-per-download model a 'dead-end'  15 May 2007

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