DRM News

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has asked that the FCC be sure not to limit the ability of Internet providers to crack down on those suspected of file sharing as it crafts its net neutrality rules, as reported by Computerworld.

In fact, they go a little beyond simply requesting that ISPs be given the ability to block file sharing :

The FCC should not only avoid rules prohibiting ISPs from blocking illegal file trading, but it should actively encourage ISPs to do so, the RIAA said.

So let’s see if we have this straight. The RIAA wants to be able to go after anyone who it merely suspects of being involved in music theft and piracy. It then wants the Internet providers themselves to act as its enforcers and enact harsh penalties against those suspected of acts of piracy by the RIAA. Note that nowhere in this little arrangement has any actual legal entity been involved.

The FCC has their own concepts that cover some of this ground :

The FCC, however, suggested that broadband providers be allowed to engage in "reasonable network management," including preventing the "lawful transfer of content," in a notice of proposed rulemaking released in October.

The question is, who is determining what is a legal or illegal transfer of content…the justice system, or the record companies?