AT&T is the first ISP we've seen that wants to voluntarily put mechanisms in place that will somehow filter pirated material from the company's network, most likely using deep packet inspection. What AT&T has planned might make Comcast's forged packets seem reasonable by comparison.

"As AT&T has begun selling pay-television services, the company has realized that its interests are more closely aligned with Hollywood," AT&T's James Cicconi told papers when first announced.

The company risks a massive backlash from customers, given that it's no secret (unless you're in denial or ISP PR) that piracy is this industry's killer app. In addition to annoying file traders, the filters, if implemented poorly, could accidentally block legitimate content. AT&T this week defended the plan before Congress:

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The planned tactic is "not about heavy-handed tactics that go after the vast majority of our customers that want to consume content legally," AT&T assistant vice president of regulatory policy Brent Olson said at an antipiracy summit here hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. "It's about making more content available to more people in more ways going forward."

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Filters that block content, of course, don't make more content available -- but such is the reasoning of DC lobbyists. AT&T says it's "looking at a variety of avenues," but ensures the filters will be "targeted" and "appropriate under the law." The company obviously needs to tread carefully.