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US ISP Adopts Three-Strikes Policy

Posted by timothy on from the them's-our-rules dept.

Andorin writes "Suddenlink, a United States ISP that serves nineteen states, has implemented a three-strikes policy. Subscribers who receive three DMCA takedown notices are disconnected without compensation for a period of six months. According to TorrentFreak, the takedown notices do not have to be substantiated in court, which effectively means that subscribers can be disconnected based on mere accusations. In justifying the policy, Suddenlink turns to an obscure provision of their Terms of Service, but also claims that they are required by the DMCA to disconnect repeat offenders."

15 of 280 comments (clear)

  1. Beat them to the punch by Briden · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If you are a customer of theirs, immediately cancel your service and tell them why you are doing it. that ought to send the right message.

    1. Re:Beat them to the punch by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Its great news. If I get my neighbour's internet connections taken out my download speeds should shoot right up.

    2. Re:Beat them to the punch by TheGratefulNet · · Score: 5, Funny

      while (1) { press_button(); }

      why, yes. yes, I would.

      --

      --
      "It is now safe to switch off your computer."
    3. Re:Beat them to the punch by darpified · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Suddenlink is my provider. They are my *only* choice for reasonably fast internet service. The DSL service here is capped at 1 Mbps and spotty at that. Satellite service is out of my price range, and there is no wireless provider. I'm not happy with them over this, and will send them a message, but cancel my subscription and not have Internet isn't an option. It's an effective monopoly, and they know it.

    4. Re:Beat them to the punch by Mitchell314 · · Score: 5, Funny

      Who would you p-

      --
      I read TFA and all I got was this lousy cookie
    5. Re:Beat them to the punch by clarkn0va · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Start your own WISP then. It's easier than you might think. I got sick of the lack of options here (6/1, reasonably reliable, in fact), and now I provide internet to my neighbours, 100% legally. It cost me a couple thousand to get started and some sweat ethic, but I now enjoy a 30/4 connection and my neighbours are good enough to pay the bill for me.

      --
      I am literally 3000 tokens away from the chaotic crossbow --Stephen
    6. Re:Beat them to the punch by MoonBuggy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      You make an intriguing suggestion - I (and presumably many other /.ers) would very much appreciate a bit more info; how did you get the main connection, how's it shared out, did you come up against any particularly significant red tape, what's the rough cost breakdown (hardware/installation/monthly connection), and so on?

    7. Re:Beat them to the punch by Oceanplexian · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Step 1 - Order a DS3 in a metro area (roughly $2k-3k)

      Step 2 - Go buy some cheap equipment and antennas ($100-1000 for a AP, ~$150-200 for each CPE)

      Step 3 (optional) - Get an FCC license for some licensed spectrum if you're not using 900mhz/2.4/5Ghz. It's actually pretty inexpensive, maybe a a few hundred
      dollars at most and that's it.

      Step 4 - Rent tower space, depending on the area it could run $500-$10000. I'll guesstimate for a few antennas, probably $2000

      This is all assuming you're a typical /. reader and build your own routers, run open-source software and can build enclosures and don't have
      a fear of heights.

  2. Put them out of business! by schon · · Score: 5, Funny

    OK, everybody start submitting DMCA reports. They'll be out of subscribers in no time flat.

    1. Re:Put them out of business! by Mr.+Freeman · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Technically yes, but a "good faith" belief that someone is doing something illegal is pretty fucking vague. If previous court ruling are any indication, hearing a rumor about "someone" pirating "something" is probably all you need to justify yourself.

      --
      -1 disagree is not a modifier for a reason. -1 troll, flaimbait, redundant, overrated are NOT acceptable substitutes.
    2. Re:Put them out of business! by suomynonAyletamitlU · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Isn't that technically committing perjury?

      Of course it is. That's why everyone with half a brain who's heard of these three-strikes rules in the US and abroad wants to rip people like this a new one--because they enable perjurers to be successful at abusing the law without court review.

      Of course, if you were to send three bogus DMCA takedown notices to the ISP CEO's home--or to their home office--they would notice the fact that it's a crime and cry foul (or simply break policy and ignore them), but they are more than willing to enable criminals as long as they don't see the blowback themselves.

  3. Re:This is actually not that bad by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    > if you're incompetent enough to get caught three times, you shouldn't be on the Internet
    Three accusations. Not three convictions.

  4. Re:This is actually not that bad by Adrian+Lopez · · Score: 5, Insightful

    You're assuming the complaints are legitimate. Your assumption is wrong.

    --
    "In prison you just have to shut your eyes and take it. Here you have to shut your eyes and give it."
  5. Re:This is actually not that bad by Lehk228 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    you subpoena your ISP for a copy of the complaint and sue the filer for libel, tortious interference, harassment, and lobby your state's AG to investigate them criminally for filing a false instrument.

    --
    Snowden and Manning are heroes.
  6. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. by westlake · · Score: 5, Insightful

    If you are a customer of theirs, immediately cancel your service and tell them why you are doing it. that ought to send the right message.

    That it does.

    It tells them that they have shed another geek who clogs their pipes and will never upgrade his service.