Quickie: Japanese ISPs Cave to Copyright Holders
Via Simon Jones (NSFW)– Japanese Internet service providers have announced that from now on, they will immediately and permanently terminate Internet service for users who download pirated materials.
Jones points out the concerns with user privacy, which is not addressed in the article at all. The article does note that the plan, in which users are warned via e-mail and then cut off from the ‘net if they don’t stop downloading, is similar to one being set up in France by President Sarkozy.
Tags: japanese-industry, piracy
March 15th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
This is absolutely preposterous, the internet and all information held within should be available to anyone and everyone. When ISPs decide it’s their right to govern who and what a person should download/access/view, then not only have we lost the fundamental right of privacy, but also the even more basic right that we are innocent until proven guilty.
When IT professionals, human resource departments, and company middle management become judge and jury, and deal punishment without due process, it’s time to rise up and say something.
(May be a little over dramatic, but I have strong opinions about our right to the internet.)
March 16th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Actually, according to the Yahoo! article, they merely ‘plan’ to do this. They need to get government approval and such first, I believe.
Or maybe the Simon Jones link says differently? I didn’t click because you labeled it NSFW. ^_^; If that’s the case, then ignore this.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:58 pm
@CJ: It doesn’t say differently (and since Jones’ commentary is based on the Yahoo! article, I’d be confused if it did).
However, I’m not sure how optimistic I am about the Japanese government restricting the ISPs’ plans much.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
CJ–>
You’ve got it somewhat backwards. This is a preemptive maneuver by ISPs to *avoid* government involvement. The Japanese government has been hinting not so subtly at its desire to make ISPs enforce copyrights for a long time.
Even in the US, ISPs can decline service to anyone they deem detrimental to their service, as long as they do not run afoul of anti-discrimination laws. Internet access is not quite a utility.