Six Strikes And Your Internet Speeds Are Throttled

My fellow Internet users, today marks the day, after much delay that the Six Strikes System (also known as the Copyright Alert System) goes into effect.  Over the course of the next several days, participating ISP’s will start implementing the system onto their networks.  This means that if you are caught illegally downloading content, you’ll receive your first of six strikes.

The system was the idea of the Center for Copyright Information (CCI), an umbrella group representing major ISPs across the US and representatives from the recording and film industries. The group agreed in 2011 to come up with a six-stage warning scheme that would progressively warn and eventually penalize people who were “caught” illegally downloading copyrighted material on the Internet.  If you’re interested, check out the CCI’s new video explaining the process and its new promo video.

If you receive a strike, but you don’t think its justified, you can file an appeal, which will cost you $35.  That sounds annoying, especially if someone steals your WiFi — so everyone make sure to encrypt and password protect your wireless networks.

“The CAS marks a new way to reach consumers who may be engaging in peer-to-peer (P2P) piracy,” wrote Jill Lesser, CCI’s head, on Monday. Its launch today “marks the culmination of many months of work” to stop piracy and promote lawful alternatives.

Participating ISPs, including AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Cablevision, and Time Warner Cable, have yet to publicize any information or even mention the program anywhere on their websites—except Verizon, which refers to it as the “Copyright Alert Program.”

On the Verizon website, the company has stated that it will not terminate people’s accounts, but will rather reduce (or throttle) customers Internet connection speeds.

Finally, our Copyright Alert Program is designed to promote education and awareness of copyright issues and does not include termination of service at any stage of the process.

It’s also worth noting that using a VPN and/or other tools/techniques (e.g. Tor) to reroute traffic or help you stay anonymous online will most likely protect users from receiving such strikes against their accounts.  Something to keep in mind.

How do you feel about the new Six Strikes System?