Carphone will not disconnect illegal downloaders

Unlike many of its rivals, Carphone Warehouse has stated that it would not disconnect users that are responsible for illegal file sharing.

The BPI (British Phonographic Institute) asked ISPs to voluntarily apply a “three strikes” policy against offenders, leading to automatic disconnection after three warnings.

However, The Carphone Warehouse, which offers broadband through it’s TalkTalk arm, rejected the BPI’s request and furthermore said it would even take legal action to defend its customers.

In a statement, chief executive Charles Dunstone said: “We believe that a fundamental part of our role as an internet service provider (ISP) is to protect the rights of our users to use the internet as they choose. The music industry has consistently failed to adapt to changes in technology and now seeks to foist their problems on someone else.”

Virgin Media recently became the first ISP to say it will trial out a three strikes policy on it’s customers.

It is understood that several large ISPs are also in talks with record companies on ways to steer users aways from file sharing sites, possibly by bundling an extra fee with an ISP subscription that allows unlimited downloading of music tracks.