Ofcom is inviting comment on the consultation paper it issued last week
proposing a "Code" for implementing the new Digital
Economy Act 2010.
The Code is to apply initially to fixed ISPs who have more than
400,000 subscribers. This means that it will initially apply to BT,
O2, Orange, Post Office, Sky, Talk Talk and Virgin Media, who
together provide internet access to over 96% of the UK market. The
Code does not yet apply to smaller ISPs, mobile operators or Wi-Fi
providers such as coffee shops, but this position may be reviewed
if necessary (i.e. if the imposition of the Code on larger ISPs
causes infringing subscribers to flock to smaller ISPs
instead).
In terms of the Code, copyright owners can report alleged
incidences of copyright infringement to ISPs. This is done by way
of a Copyright Infringement Report (CIR), which must contain
certain information including:
