eircom adopts ‘three strike’ rule to clamp down on illegal filesharing

Irish fixed line operator and ISP eircom is implementing a French-inspired ‘three strikes and out’ regime whereby customers who repeatedly flout filesharing rules will have their internet access removed. The former monopoly is thought to be bowing to pressure from major record companies which have threatened eircom with legal action unless it gets its house in order concerning illegal downloads and filesharing. Local press report the telco’s decision forms part of a legal settlement with EMI, Sony, Universal and Warner, which had accused the ISP of ‘knowingly facilitating copyright infringement’ by surreptitiously promoting illegal music downloading on third-party sites.