UK ISP Karoo Introduces Policy to Tackle Internet Piracy
The Hull-based internet service provider Karoo has been in spotlight recently after its reportedly disconnecting the customers suspected of illegal file sharing without prior warning. This action of the broadband provider had invited widespread criticism from the residents of Hull where the company is the sole broadband supplier enjoying near monopoly. Besides the residents, it had also beckoned the disapproval of the Consumer Focus and Open Rights Group.
Karoo, realising that the tringent and exparte imposition of discipline might call for a backfire, has altered the course although nominally, to issue three warning before effectuating the termination of the wrongdoer’s subscription. The UK ISP seems to be thinking that the newly introduced policy would help in curbing illegal file sharing in its broadbandnetwork to a significant extent. Reports have also said that disconnected customers were required to sign a treaty under compulsion, admitting their guilt as well as confirming that the offence would be never repeated.
Nick Thompson, Karoo’s director of publishing and consumer services, commented on the fresh policy that their exceeding the copyright owners’, intenet users’ and media’s expectations was evident, which had prompted them to change their policy to move along with the standard industry approach, even while taking the issues of illegal filesharing and copyright infringement seriously. He added that on the way ahead they would deliver three written warnings to the offending customers, prior to the temporary suspension of their service.
Online piracy has been a big issue within the United Kingdom in the recent times. This fact is more than substantiated by the coverage it received in the recently published Digital Britain report of the government. In the following days, numerous suggestions had come up from various corners of the country as possible measures to resolve the problem, ranging from site blocking and bandwidth capping to reducing broadband speeds and even actual disconnection of the service.
