Techotic

Virgin Media, the UK’s largest provider of home broadband has said that it will spy on its customers and threaten to prosecute downloaders and sharers of illegal music.

From next week, Virgin Media will send letters to thousands of customers who are subscribing to their network warning them that they have either downloaded or shared music illegally.

The campaign is a joint venture between Virgin Media and the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), which represents the major record labels. The BPI ultimately wants internet companies to implement a “three strikes and out” rule to warn and ultimately disconnect the estimated 6.5 million customers whose accounts are used for regular criminal activity.

Virgin has stopped short of threatening any of its 3.5 million subscribers with disconnection, saying it first wants to “educate” customers during a 10-week trial campaign. Their letters will, however, be accompanied by a stern written warning from the BPI, which will threaten both disconnection and a court appearance for those who continue to download illegally.

I was lucky not to subscribe to Virgin, and to think i was about to part my money to them just 3 months ago. My take on this is to just boycot Virgin, there are much cheaper and better ISPs in England to choose from.

[via independent]