dslreports logo
 story category
The RIAA Wants ISPs to Automatically Filter Pirated Content

The RIAA continues to insist that the DMCA (considered one of the most draconian copyright laws ever crafted) doesn't go far enough, and ISPs should be forced to filter out pirated content. The push comes in a letter sent by the RIAA and 14 other groups to the US Copyright Office. In the letter, the RIAA claims that the safe harbor protections granted by the DMCA to ISPs that move to "expeditiously" remove copyright infringing material doesn't go far enough, and more heavy-handed actions by ISPs are necessary.

Click for full size
"The extremely burdensome -- and ultimately ineffective -- notice-and-takedown process is hardly a fair exchange for the highly valuable immunity the DMCA safe harbors give service providers, allowing them to continue profitable business operations while avoiding liability for copyright infringement and the potential for statutory damages," states the letter.

For one thing, the RIAA wants the term "expeditiously" removed and replaced with a harder time frame in which ISPs are forced to take action. But the RIAA then continues to insist that having ISP automatically remove copyrighted material almost immediately would be a nifty idea.

"One possible solution to this problem would be to require that, once a service provider receives a takedown notice with respect to a given work, the service provider use automated content identification technology to prevent the same work from being uploaded in the future," states the letter. "Another option would be to require the use of such technology to identify and take action with respect to known third-party copyrighted works at the time of upload or sharing."

The problem. of course, is that automated content identification technology consistently already result in legitimate content (including fair use) being removed from the internet. Expand this to include automated removal technology at the ISP level, and you're likely looking at an exponential explosion in the removal of non-infringing content. The RIAA's letter comes as the House Judiciary Committee prepares to take a new look at the nation's copyright laws.

You can find a full copy of the letter here (pdf).

Most recommended from 122 comments


Papageno
join:2011-01-26
Portland, OR

10 recommendations

Papageno

Member

"Nice work if you can get it..."

...as the old song goes. The RIAA wants the ISPs to do its content policing work for it, and at the ISPs' expense. How do I get a gig like that, where someone else does my work for me while I collect the paycheck?

Anond4bca
@digitalocean.com

8 recommendations

Anond4bca

Anon

Grasping at straws.

Even if content/music providers can eliminate all illegal uploaded content,it still would not dramatically increase their profits.

Most people simply do not have alot of extra money for a great amount of entertainment. Seemingly,layoffs are increasing everyday.

So in the end these copyright trolling entities will just make the internet or web more restrictive and perhaps less enjoyable.

camper
just visiting this planet
Premium Member
join:2010-03-21
Bethel, CT

7 recommendations

camper

Premium Member

HTTPS

... the service provider use automated content identification technology to prevent the same work from being uploaded in the future...

How is the ISP going to peer into the encrypted https data in order to use the automated content identification technology?

SimbaSeven
I Void Warranties
join:2003-03-24
Billings, MT

6 recommendations

SimbaSeven

Member

Except that..

It doesn't handle just music, but every damn digital item out there that could be a violation of copyright.

..like that ROM of Super Mario Bros for the NES.. or Ms. Pac Man for the Atari 2600.

GlennLouEarl
3 brothers, 1 gone
Premium Member
join:2002-11-17
Richmond, VA

3 recommendations

GlennLouEarl

Premium Member

If only we could get rid of this burdensome

RIAA (and friends of the Really Insane And Asinine). That would be the best solution.

SHSPVR
join:2003-12-15
Vinita, OK

3 recommendations

SHSPVR

Member

Rigth that never going to happing

They can wish in one hand and @#$@ in other hand to we all know that not going to happing LoL

Anon72327
@telus.net

3 recommendations

Anon72327

Anon

Another ridiculous request by the pirate police

"ISPs should be forced to filter out pirated content."

And I want everyone in the world to pay me one dollar. lmao. What a ridiculous request.