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UK File-Sharing Laws Unenforceable On Mobile Networks

Posted by kdawson on from the p2p-ringtones dept.

superglaze writes "UK mobile broadband providers currently have no way of telling which subscribers are file-sharing which copyrighted content, ZDNet UK reports. This represents something of a problem for new laws that have been proposed to crack down on unlawful file-sharing. According to the article, databases (tracking IP address mappings) could be built to make it possible to identify what specific users are downloading, but the industry is loathe to fund this sort of project itself. Also, as an analyst points out in the piece, users of prepaid phone cards are mostly anonymous in the UK, which creates another challenge for the government's plans. And if that isn't enough, connection-sharing apps like JoikuBoost would make identification pretty much impossible anyway."

4 of 130 comments (clear)

  1. Of Course... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Anybody who plans on running bittorrent over a prepaid mobile connection is either going to pirate very small files, or end up paying rather more than retail for them...

  2. Or it would go the other way by plover · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Sharing your connection using Joiku with a file-sharing felon might tar you with the same brush. 3 strikes and you're all out.

    Due process? We flushed that crap down the toilet years ago.

    --
    John
    1. Re:Or it would go the other way by denis-The-menace · · Score: 3, Insightful

      All bow to the outdated business model that is the music business of the 50-90s.

      Profits from this *MUST* be protected at the cost of freedom, privacy and progress. /sarcasm (in case of "whoosh")

      Amazing what bribes from robber barons can do to otherwise respectable politicians.

      --
      Obama's legacy: (N)othing (S)ecure (A)nywhere and (T)error (S)imulation (A)dministration
    2. Re:Or it would go the other way by PitaBred · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Otherwise respectable? Wasn't the guy who pushed this shit through removed from two elected positions for corruption, and now only holds an appointed position?

      --
      My blog. Good stuff (when I remember to update it). Read it.