Big Music targets Australian customers
p2pnet news | Music:- They just never learn.
Facing the worse public relations disaster in their history caused by suing an American woman, Jammie Thomas, for supposedly distributing copyrighted music files online, Warner Music, EMI, Vivendi Universal and Sony BMG look bent on victimising Australians.
Their Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI), which has said repeatedly it isn’t interested in individual users, is now about to start going after individual users, using Australian ISPs as the front.
“Swarms of people commenting on news websites, blogs and online forums have accused the big record companies of using bully tactics to intimidate harmless internet users by making an example of Ms Thomas, instead of modernising their business models for the online world,” says the Sydney Morning Herald.
Now, the MIPI’s Sabiene Heindl says the Big 4’s Oz arm has been, “petitioning internet service providers (ISPs) to send warning notices and disconnect the internet connections of users who have been identified as illegal downloaders”.
The story doesn’t explain how “illegal downloaders” are distinguished from ‘illegal’ downloaders, or why the ISPs should be stupid enough to jeopardise their own businesses in the interests of the corporate music industry.
It adds:
“We would hope that the ISPs and the record companies could come up with an alternative solution,” said MIPI general manager Sabiene Heindl.
“That said, if that solution cannot be reached, and at this stage it’s because of the ISPs refusing to play ball, then we may have no alternative other than to take legal action [against individuals].”
MIPI has pleaded with the Federal Government to intervene by creating an ISP code under broadcasting or telecommunications legislation.
But in a letter sent to Heindl last month, the federal Attorney-General, Philip Ruddock, said a legislative solution was not required and told the music industry and ISPs to re-establish discussions.
The SMH hinges its story on the Jammie Thomas decision which, p2pnet has learned, is to be appealed.
Stay tuned.
(And Happy Thanksgiving to fellow Canadians 
)
Also See:
public relations disaster – Hit the RIAA and Big Music where it hurts!, October 5, 2007
individual users – Big Music attacks in Australia, March 18, 2005
Sydney Morning Herald – Music industry has Aussie pirates in the crosshairs, October 8, 2007
p2pnet – RIAA victim Jammie Thomas will appeal, October 8, 2007
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October 8th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
Ok MIPI Go ahead! Make our day! Our business is to eradicate Parasites!
October 8th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Struth! The down-under-net is getting hotter than the inside of a dingos arse. Better throw all those files on the barbie, bruce.