Eircom targets illegal music downloads

EIRCOM is to implement several measures aimed at stopping the use of its internet services for illegal free downloading of music as part of an “amicable” settlement of a court action brought against it by four major record companies.

As part of the settlement, the record companies will supply Eircom with the internet protocol (IP) addresses of all persons who they detect illegally uploading or downloading copyright works while Eircom has agreed measures that include disconnecting subscribers who ignore warnings to cease such infringement.

Welcoming the settlement yesterday, Willie Kavanagh, chairman of EMI Records and of the Irish Recorded Music Association, said he was happy with the outcome and expected other internet service providers to follow Eircom’s example. Eircom also expressed satisfaction with the outcome.

The settlement was announced to Mr Justice Peter Charleton late yesterday after lengthy talks between the sides.

Both parties agreed to work closely together and on a joint approach aimed at ending “the abuse of the internet by P2P (peer to peer) copyright infringers,” they said in a statement afterwards.

Eircom will implement from now on a graduated process under which it will firstly, inform its subscriber that the subscribers IP address has been detected infringing copyright, next warn the subscriber they will be disconnected unless infringement ceases and lastly, disconnect the subscriber in default of compliance.

The record companies agreed to take all necessary steps to reach similar agreements with all other internet service providers.