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Virgin denies it will disconnect 'pirates' from the Internet

3 July 2008 23:31 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 11 comments

Virgin Media has denied recent reports that it plans to disconnect 'pirates' from the Internet for unauthorized file sharing and instead is working a policy out with the music industry. There is �absolutely no possibility� that users will be disconnected or that private details will be handed over to the record industry, added the company.

The BPI, the British equivalent of the RIAA, has been pushing UK ISP's to be more responsible with the actions of an estimated 6 million citizens who allegedly share files. On one end, there is Virgin Media who says it is working with the music industry, while on the other end there is Carphone Warehouse who has refused to comply with the demands.

Virgin has been hit with a publicity blitz as of late after it was revealed that Virgin users were receiving �educational warnings� at the behest of the BPI. The letters began with �Important: If you don�t read this, your broadband could be disconnected� so many were led to believe that their Internet would indeed be shut off by the ISP. Virgin has changed its tune however and is now saying that header was a "mistake" and that it should be ignored.

Asam Ahmad, rep for Virgin, added that the ISP cannot be completely sure if the alleged offenses were even committed by the person who received the letter. �It is important to let our customers know that their accounts have been used in a certain way but we are happy to accept it may not be the account holder that�s involved. It could be someone else in the family or someone living in a shared house. It could even be someone stealing wi-fi. We are not making any form of accusation.�

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Blackjax (Member) 4 July 2008 0:05
Classic example of damage control! Anymore you can't tell the politicians from the media heads. I think the two are actually fused at the rear be cause the only thing both keep spewing from their mouths is sh......... uh well I think you all can figure that one out. Best not to get myself into trouble. [ + quote]
windsong (Junior Member) 4 July 2008 2:53
Reminds me of when Bioware/EA dropped only PART of the SecuROM package from Mass Effect due to the loud outcry of fans. Thing was, it was cracked 6 days after release. [ + quote]
iluvendo (AfterDawn Addict) 4 July 2008 3:05
*Originally posted by Blackjax:* *Quote:* *Classic example of damage control* ! A big amen ! Anymore you can't tell the politicians from the media heads. I think the two are actually fused at the rear be cause the only thing both keep spewing from their mouths is sh......... uh well I think you all can figure that one out. Best not to get myself into trouble. [ + quote]
nobrainer (Inactive) 4 July 2008 5:58
*Originally posted by Blackjax:* Classic example of damage control! Anymore you can't tell the politicians from the media heads. I think the two are actually fused at the rear be cause the only thing both keep spewing from their mouths is sh......... uh well I think you all can figure that one out. Best not to get myself into trouble. just to quote churchill "oh, yes, yes, yes" its a sell out pure and simple, Q. what is the data protection act, and is it still valid? The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI. The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI. The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above! The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 4 July 2008 5:59
westbrom (Member) 4 July 2008 11:39
VIRGIN also state it as unlimited downloads and a 5 meg ect speed BUT the letter states after you dload more then a GIG it will reduce by more than half unless you pay for a bigger package, so its NOT unlimited or UNCAPPED [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 4 July 2008 11:40
nobrainer (Inactive) 4 July 2008 12:09
*Originally posted by westbrom:* VIRGIN also state it as unlimited downloads and a 5 meg ect speed BUT the letter states after you dload more then a GIG it will reduce by more than half unless you pay for a bigger package, so its NOT unlimited or UNCAPPED they have just been rapped in the uk for false advertising because of this. mostly all uk isp's lie about speeds and caps to get customers to sign up and once you sign you are screwed. The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI. The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI. The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above! The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 4 July 2008 12:10
westbrom (Member) 4 July 2008 12:17
*Quote:* *Originally posted by westbrom:* VIRGIN also state it as unlimited downloads and a 5 meg ect speed BUT the letter states after you dload more then a GIG it will reduce by more than half unless you pay for a bigger package, so its NOT unlimited or UNCAPPED they have just been rapped in the uk for false advertising because of this. mostly all uk isp's lie about speeds and caps to get customers to sign up and once you sign you are screwed. SHOULD BE fined for fulse information, BUT i do stress ive never had any problem connecting to the net or having days when its down for days like some dial ups, the u turn for this article is probably down to ppl wanting to leave and go elsewhere [ + quote]
7thsinger (AfterDawn Addict) 4 July 2008 13:39
*Quote:* Virgin has changed its tune however and is now saying that header was a "mistake" and that it should be ignored. A laughable response to a previous threat. That's more like "i'm sorry i got caught." Than anything else. [ + quote]
emugamer (Junior Member) 4 July 2008 14:44
Probably realized that they would have had to send letters to 75% of their customers for file sharing. Although there are probably a number of people who don't "pirate," I'm sure the number of people who do or who think the label "pirate" is stupid is growing. Humans are social oranisms who for the most part, like to share. We are not feedbags for Corporate revenue. Virgin biting the hand that feeds them. Not a good strategy. Damage control was definitely needed. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 4 July 2008 14:45
nobrainer (Inactive) 5 July 2008 4:17
If the isp's falsely cut you off the net the it opens the door for law suits. The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI. The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI. The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above! The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5 July 2008 4:24
Mez (Senior Member) 9 July 2008 9:35
I am surprised there is no comment from varnull. Virgin is like all the rest. They sell you one thing and give you something else. What else is new? [ + quote]