AT&T stands hard on antipiracy !!!

Things are changing fast in this digital world for good, The latest is here AT&T, one of the nation's largest Internet service providers, confirmed on Tuesday the company is working with the recording industry to combat illegal file sharing.
At a digital music conference in Nashville, Jim Cicconi, a senior executive for AT&T told the audience that the ISP has begun issuing takedown notices to people accused of pirating music by the Recording Industry Association of America, according to one music industry insider who was present.

In December, the RIAA, the lobbying group of the four largest recording companies, announced the group would no longer pursue an antipiracy strategy that focused on but rather would seek the help of broadband providers to stem the flow of pirated content. The RIAA said an undisclosed number of ISPs had agreed to cooperate but declined to name them. In January, CNET News reported that AT&T and Comcast were among the group.

Representatives of the RIAA and AT&T could not be reached late Tuesday evening for comment.

Cicconi told attendees of the Leadership Music Digital Summit that the notices are part of a "trial." AT&T wants to test customer reaction, he said. Whether AT&T included any warnings that repeat offenders would see their service suspended or terminated is still unclear. Music industry sources said AT&T told managers at the top labels the trial letter would include strong language about the consequences of illegal conduct, but would stop short of mentioning service interruptions.

This is important because the RIAA has said that repeat offenders faced the possibility of losing service at least temporarily--as part of the music industry's "graduated response" plan.

AT&T's test is likely the first stage in what promises to be a long and drawn out process of turning ISPs into copyright enforcers.

ISPs have traditionally tried to stay out of the fray between the big entertainment companies and those who download music illegally. They remain squeamish about the possibility of alienating customers, according to music industry sources. The ISPs also don't like plans that call for them to cut off access and chase away a source of income.

But it may atleast take another two years or more for talks to begin with ISP in ASIA which is said to be the largest consumer of piracy.

Source CNET.COM