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Dontdisconnect.us campaigns TalkTalk
21 Oct 2009 | 15.57 Europe/London
TalkTalk is taking its already-vocal opposition to Lord Mandelson’s plans to disconnect persistent illegal downloaders a step further today with dontdisconnect.us
The campaigning website outlines the rough proposals being outlined by the Government that could lead to disconnection and argues the steps are too draconian because they could see people wrongly accused and also see people who share the connection being cut off at the same time.
In fact, TalkTalk claims that its recent research into wireless internet security means that seven million UK homes are prone to Wi-Fi ‘jacking’ through which an illegal downloader could use their connection to make illegal copies of copyrighted material.
Judge and jury
Claiming ‘innocent until proven guilty’ rights enshrined in the Magna Carta, the site outlines TalkTalk’s opposition to the plans which, it fears, could leave rights holders as ‘judge and jury’ and bypass the courts. The latter point was addressed yesterday by Culture Minister Ben Bradshaw who assured court orders would be used in the proposed disconnection process. However, he did not make clear at what stage court orders would be required. They are already used at the start of the process to ask an ISP to hand over details about potential copyright infringers. Whether this will be the only court action in the process, or whether a court order will also be needed before alleged infringers are disconnected, has yet to be clarified.
The site offers a link to a Number 10 petition and offers advice on writing to your MP to voice concerns over the proposals. A Don’t Disconnect Us Facebook group and Twitter page have also been set up to allow internet users to share their concerns.
TalkTalk also points out that the influential All Party Communications group (Apcomm) recently came out against the proposals.
The campaigning website outlines the rough proposals being outlined by the Government that could lead to disconnection and argues the steps are too draconian because they could see people wrongly accused and also see people who share the connection being cut off at the same time.
In fact, TalkTalk claims that its recent research into wireless internet security means that seven million UK homes are prone to Wi-Fi ‘jacking’ through which an illegal downloader could use their connection to make illegal copies of copyrighted material.
Judge and jury
Claiming ‘innocent until proven guilty’ rights enshrined in the Magna Carta, the site outlines TalkTalk’s opposition to the plans which, it fears, could leave rights holders as ‘judge and jury’ and bypass the courts. The latter point was addressed yesterday by Culture Minister Ben Bradshaw who assured court orders would be used in the proposed disconnection process. However, he did not make clear at what stage court orders would be required. They are already used at the start of the process to ask an ISP to hand over details about potential copyright infringers. Whether this will be the only court action in the process, or whether a court order will also be needed before alleged infringers are disconnected, has yet to be clarified.
The site offers a link to a Number 10 petition and offers advice on writing to your MP to voice concerns over the proposals. A Don’t Disconnect Us Facebook group and Twitter page have also been set up to allow internet users to share their concerns.
TalkTalk also points out that the influential All Party Communications group (Apcomm) recently came out against the proposals.