The Recording Industry of America (RIAA) has recently abandoned its partnership deal with anti-piracy firm which tracked down file-sharers accused of committing online piracy, according to The Wall Street Journal report on Sunday.
Instead of chasing illegal file-sharers, RIAA is planning to seek the cooperation of Internet Service Providers (ISPs). According to the proposed plan, providers can give warnings to people who will illegally download contents, and if the activity continues, it will provide slow Internet service or cut off the connection.
MediaSentry, a firm which conducted the controversial anti-piracy measure since 2003, has cracked down more than 35,000 people resulting to a mass lawsuit.
However, the company was often criticized by experts who believed that its gathering techniques were excessive and inaccurate.
The MediaSentry used a software which can automatically detect the IP addresses of computers used in downloading copyrighted materials. The gathered information will be then passed on to RIAA.
While the evidence-gathering company can identify the IP address of computer used in illegal file sharing activity, it cannot accurately tell the person who downloaded the content. This loophole was the reason why a federal judge in April 2008 rejected RIAA’s lawsuit against a couple accused of committing copyright infringement.
Other controversial lawsuits filed by RIAA included minors and computer illiterates. But one of the most controversial cases is about a dead woman who was charged with copyright infringement on the basis of sharing over 700 songs.
According to RIAA, it is now seeking DtecNet Aps as its new partner to replace MusicSentry.
DtecNet Aps is a Copenhagen-based firm which specializes in making software to track and prevent online and digital piracy.