O2 wades into filesharing row

Condemns "bullying" rights holders

17 March 2010 16:47 GMT / By Duncan Geere

Mobile phone and broadband network O2 has jumped into the row over content providers sending out thousands of threatening legal letters, calling the practice "bullying".

The main target of O2's wrath is ACS:Law, a law firm which specialises in sending out nastygrams to UK consumers, accusing them of downloading copyrighted material and offering a quick settlement out of court for around £500. Many people immediately pay up out of fear and embarrassment, especially as the accusations often involve pornography.

But many have called into question the systems used to identify the targets of these letters. Consumer group Which? says that it had messages from 150 people who claim to have been wrongly accused, and consumer rights group BeingThreatened has produced a handbook of advice for those who receive a letter.

O2 said: "Where we are legally obliged to provide information and the correct paperwork is presented, we will comply with the law. But we prefer the 'win-win' approach of encouraging the development of new business models that offer customers the content they want, how they want it, for a fair price".

Have you received one of these letters? Did you pay up, or have you attempted to fight it? Tell us your story, anonymously if you like, in the comments.

Via: news.bbc.co.uk

>> Comment on this story

Full tags

Software, Online, Filesharing, O2, Broadband, P2P, ACS:Law

UK Shopping

Amazon.co.uk, play.com, pixmania.co.uk, Currys.co.uk, Dixons.co.uk, 7dayshop.com, ebay.co.uk

US Shopping

Amazon.com, bestbuy.com, ebay.com

Latest in Software

Latest on Pocket-lint

Comments

I received one of the first batch of threatening letters for a pinball game that I had never heard of. They sent a-lot of threatening letters. I ended up getting a solicitor involved who helped me get proof that I haven't downloaded the game. Last thing I heard from them was about 2 years ago when I notified them that I would look forward to it being thrown out and would be receiving damages when it went to court (a letter that my solicitor kindly helped me write), But it was a stupidly stress-full time until I sought legal help (which by the way cost me) Posted by stretchy, United Kingdom