Eircom allowed to cut off illegal downloaders

AN important High Court decision yesterday allowing Eircom proceed with cutting off internet access to illegal music downloaders, mainly peer-to-peer music sharing groups, has major implications for all other internet service providers.

Legal sources predict the judgment by Mr Justice Peter Charleton may compel other internet service providers to cut off services to illegal downloaders who fail to heed warnings to desist what the judge described as “theft”.

The judgment arose from a settlement last year of proceedings by four record companies — EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner — against Eircom over the use by others of its services for illegal downloading.