Why do ISPs care if you illegally download files / torrent?

[Actual_Criminal]

(NOTE: I know discussing specific how-to's of torrenting and locations is disallowed on this forum. This thread purely pertains to the ISP's interest in the matter and not torrents themselves.)

 

My friend has received a letter in the post from his ISP, saying that he has been caught downloading torrents and it's essentially a warning letter. 

 

Why do ISP's care if their users are downloading copyrighted material? Yes, it is obviously wrong but technically, it is not the ISP's fault. 

 

Do the ISP have a legal obligation to deter torrents or something?

[Kilrah]

Just now, Actual_Criminal said:

Do the ISP have a legal obligation to deter torrents or something?

In some places yes.

Example from France:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HADOPI_law#Details_of_the_law

[Actual_Criminal]

Just now, Kilrah said:

In some places yes.

Example from France:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HADOPI_law#Details_of_the_law

I am based in the UK. 

 

He never uses a VPN or anything when downloading, but I imagine he will now.

[ToboRobot]

Some large and powerful ISPs also own companies that sell content.

[PDifolco]

45 minutes ago, Actual_Criminal said:

I am based in the UK. 

 

He never uses a VPN or anything when downloading, but I imagine he will now.

In France the "Hadopi" is essentially a boogeyman, they didn't succeed at really changing anything to the matter

Indeed an ISP is recommended

[jaslion]

1 hour ago, Actual_Criminal said:

Do the ISP have a legal obligation to deter torrents or something?

Some countries do.

 

Others are invested in media companies.

 

Others are being invested into by media companies.

 

So either its law or protecting their investments/investors.

 

Vpn it and call it a day. A good vpn will make it not possible to track or very very hard. Too many resources expanded for too little gain.

 

Keep in mind thay piracy is kind off a weird thing that even tho people arent paying for the software, content,... they are still engaging with it which can still spread positive outcomes (influencing others, physical goods,...). Plenty of studies here about it and I had a good time reading and whatching documentaries.

 

That and pirates will pirate. They arent lost sales they wouldve not bought in the first place anyway.

[Donut417]

1 hour ago, Actual_Criminal said:

Do the ISP have a legal obligation to deter torrents or something?

In the USA. 

 

Yes, Under the DMCA ISP's have to issue warnings if a copy right holder

contacts them. In some cases an ISP might even disclose the persons information if the copyright holder wishes to take matters to court. As long as ISP's do their diligence to attempt to stop piracy they are given safe harbor protections, if they dont help in the stop of piracy then the ISP itself can be held liable for the piracy acts conducted by its users. 

 

For reference Cox communications was sued and lost in court as copyright holders stated they didnt do enough to stop piracy on their network. Cox had a judgement of over 1 BILLION against them. 

[Alex Atkin UK]

3 hours ago, Actual_Criminal said:

Why do ISP's care if their users are downloading copyrighted material? Yes, it is obviously wrong but technically, it is not the ISP's fault. 

 

Do the ISP have a legal obligation to deter torrents or something?

In the UK generally ISPs don't care, but they are legally required to forward any notices they are sent about your IP address infringing copyright onto you as the customer if a copyright holder (more accurately a company on their behalf) contacts them about it.

 

https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2021/09/customers-of-virgin-media-and-other-uk-isps-hit-by-piracy-letters.html