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*** eircom and Internet Censoring ***

  • 26-02-2009 4:49pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 16,713 ✭✭✭✭jor el


    Following on from my earlier post, we've decided to lock the two eircom threads as they've either gone so off topic, both discussing the exact same thing which is pointless or so much incorrect information in them its not even funny.

    So the idea behind this thread is ONLY to try and stop eircom, or other ISP's, from censoring what websites you can access based on IRMA's suggestions.

    This thread is not for:
    - Discussing the music industry's current business model
    - Discussing that its OK to download copyright material

    This thread is ONLY for discussing what can be done to stop eircom from censoring websites full stop, anything else is seen as off-topic and may be deleted so lets come up with ideas to stop this.

    Before you post please read the following so you understand the latest announcement by eircom which was posted 24th February 2009 -

    READ THIS before posting.
    Ireland's largest ISP won't block The Pirate Bay -- the embattled
    BitTorrent search engine and tracker -- absent a court order, a
    spokesman said Tuesday.

    Eircom is aware of copyright infringement issues but will not block
    The Pirate Bay unless major record labels can obtain a court order
    requiring it and other ISPs (Internet service providers) to do so, the
    spokesman said.

    Eircom recently avoided a trial with record labels EMI, Sony,
    Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group. The labels took Eircom
    to court to try to force the ISP to install traffic-monitoring
    equipment that would have examined content of its subscribers in an
    attempt to clamp down on illegal file sharing.

    After eight days in court in January, Eircom opted to settle with the
    labels. Eircom said it would not install content monitoring equipment
    but instead agree to investigate subscribers suspected of file sharing
    and disconnect them if their activity continued, the spokesman said.

    Content monitoring is "not our business," the spokesman said. "We have
    no interest in it."

    Eircom will accept IP (Internet Protocol) addresses and other
    information supplied by companies working for record labels that track
    illegally traded content, the spokesman said. However, Eircom will not
    turn over subscriber information to record labels.

    The details of the agreement with the record labels are still being
    worked out, such as the level of proof Eircom would find acceptable in
    order to justify disconnecting a subscriber. Implementation of a
    warning and disconnection system is a couple of months away, he said.

    Eircom's terms and conditions for its subscribers will not change, as
    the ISP has always had the right to cut off customers engaged in
    illegal activity, he said.

    The situation in Ireland mirrors other efforts the entertainment
    industry has undertaken to try and shut down The Pirate Bay, which is
    one of the most popular sites to obtain torrents, or small information
    files, that coordinate the download of material via the BitTorrent
    protocol.

    In December, a Danish court upheld a ruling that required the ISP
    Tele2 to block The Pirate Bay, in a case that was initiated by the
    International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). Tele2
    was considering appealing the ruling.

    The Pirate Bay is having its own troubles in Sweden. Four men are
    standing trial this week on a charge of aiding with making material
    available that is under copyright. They could face prison, and the
    Motion Picture Association and IFPI are seeking around US$12.5 million
    in combined damages.

    Here is what I suggested earlier that we can all do
    me wrote: »
    Petition eircom to fight the court case, if and when it comes. Petition your ISP, if you're not with eircom, to fight any such action against them. Contact Digital Rights Ireland to see if there's anything being done, or to see if it can be started. Contact Ireland Offline group and see if there's anything they can do. Petition the minister for communications to get involved. Contact Comreg to see if there's anything they can do to get eircom to fight the court action. Contact the media to let them know of your concerns, and see if they're willing to get a public debate going. Radio shows like Gerry Ryan, Joe Duffy, Ray D'Arcy and The Last Word, would be a start.

    Now, let the sensible debate begin...


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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 2,985 ✭✭✭skelliser




  • Registered Users Posts: 25,042 ✭✭✭✭My name is URL


    Sorry, I didn't know another thread existed when I made my earlier post.

    On topic, those are good ideas jor el. There needs to be an Irish net neutrality lobby group set up, not just one that's focussed on Eircom. Is there already such a thing?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 507 ✭✭✭bobbbb


    Sorry, I didn't know another thread existed when I made my earlier post.

    On topic, those are good ideas jor el. There needs to be an Irish net neutrality lobby group set up, not just one that's focussed on Eircom. Is there already such a thing?

    You could start one.

    Once Eircom start to lose customers by the thousand they'll back down.
    They only ones who will stay will be those who know how to use proxies.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,087 ✭✭✭Duiske


    We know Eircom's position (at the moment), as can be seen in jor el's post above. However, I think its likely that one or more of the other isp's may well try to fight this by contesting any application to the Irish courts, and if unsuccessful, possibly going to the European Court. This document DIRECTIVE 2000/31/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT is certainly going to be used in any challenge.
    The relevant parts are Articles 12,13,14 and especially 15, which can be found on pages 12 and 13 of the pdf.

    Apologies if this has been covered in the other thread.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,985 ✭✭✭skelliser


    some more links
    http://blackoutireland.com/
    http://blog.blackoutireland.com/

    At the moment the only organised group spreading awareness is this facebook group
    http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=53586632674


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  • Moderators, Computer Games Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Help & Feedback Category Moderators Posts: 24,949 CMod ✭✭✭✭Spear


    http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/02/26/1235237810486.html

    Similar attempts and ever more encompassing attempts in Australia failed. There was enough opposition, (only 10% of the public supported it) that even someone as clueless as a politician realised this was a very bad idea.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    I'm interested in seeing what the other ISPs that are not Irish owned (Utv, BT and UPC especially) do as it'd be a case of them giving in to the
    music companies in one of their markets and not in others.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,184 ✭✭✭Kenno90


    if they even block one tiny website , i'm moving to a new ISP


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,555 ✭✭✭✭Marlow


    First of all, what Eircom has done or will do is nothing different, to what was happening first.

    Honestly, the settlement has made no difference to before.

    This article: http://www.pcworld.com/article/160114/irish_isp_we_wont_block_the_pirate_bay.html
    has all the bits in there, which pretty much reflects what the majority of the ISPs will do about it.

    The phone companies don't wiretap without a court-order. Starting to monitor and filtering traffic equals to wiretapping. And as the article says, Eircom, nor any other ISP will release customer data to IFPI, IRMA and the likes.

    /M


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,985 ✭✭✭skelliser


    i understand tho that a garda superintendent or even the garda commissioner is the only person who can apply to the courts for a wiretap


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  • Registered Users Posts: 14,555 ✭✭✭✭Marlow


    skelliser wrote: »
    i understand tho that a garda superintendent or even the garda commissioner is the only person who can apply to the courts for a wiretap

    Yes. And thus the task lies with the media industry to provide proof in the first place, sufficient proof, before a customer gets notified or disconnected.

    While that all is on, Eircom will still not release your data or tap into your data. It's none of their business.

    /M


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,537 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    bobbbb wrote: »
    You could start one.

    Once Eircom start to lose customers by the thousand they'll back down.
    They only ones who will stay will be those who know how to use proxies.
    *broken record*
    If you move to another ADSL provider eircom still get line rental and wholesale rate. Eircom loose problem customers so it's win-win for them


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,985 ✭✭✭skelliser


    This is ideally what we should be following, a well organised continous campaign
    http://creativefreedom.org.nz/blackout.html


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 507 ✭✭✭bobbbb


    *broken record*
    If you move to another ADSL provider eircom still get line rental and wholesale rate. Eircom loose problem customers so it's win-win for them

    If that was the case Eircom wouldnt be in the broadband business. They would only be in the line rental business


  • Registered Users Posts: 25,042 ✭✭✭✭My name is URL


    Just saw this on Twitter.

    http://www.p2pnet.net/story/18639

    Seems to be gathering alot of momentum and attention, which we could use for our benefit. How about somebody sets up a Twitter account? I can't because all of my email addresses are in use on the site for various projects. I'd be happy to design a customized bg image for it though, and help in any way I can.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2 EvaTheDiva101


    When will this be put in place?
    Or has it been put in place already? :confused:


  • Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 90,537 Mod ✭✭✭✭Capt'n Midnight


    bobbbb wrote: »
    If that was the case Eircom wouldnt be in the broadband business. They would only be in the line rental business
    most businesses have three types of customers
    peaches, the ones you like nice profit from them
    apples and oranges, not so much profit but lots of them
    lemons, no one wants these - big downloaders , uppity complainers , legal risks and all that


  • Registered Users Posts: 67 ✭✭supervixen


    There are always options like using a proxy service like:
    http://www.securstar.com/products_ssolo.php

    A bit more expense but peace of mind :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 25,042 ✭✭✭✭My name is URL


    supervixen wrote: »
    There are always options like using a proxy service like:
    http://www.securstar.com/products_ssolo.php

    A bit more expense but peace of mind :)


    It's not about not getting caught doing whatever you're doing, it's about the possibility that a precedent will be set that other court cases regarding censorship will refer to. That could change the internet, not just in Ireland either.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,439 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    bobbbb wrote: »
    If that was the case Eircom wouldnt be in the broadband business. They would only be in the line rental business

    Eircom is broken into Eircom Residential and Eircom Wholesale
    Its no different to that in the UK were you have BT Retail and BT Openreach

    There's money to be made but because Eircom basically owned the network and they are forced to share it they are also forced to split their business to allow other companys to use it.

    Bottom line however is eircom still make money no matter what ADSL provider you get

    On a slightly off-topic note, damn you jor el for stealing my thoughts...I wrote most of that first post :p


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 92 ✭✭tanora78


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users Posts: 67 ✭✭supervixen


    It's not about not getting caught doing whatever you're doing, it's about the possibility that a precedent will be set that other court cases regarding censorship will refer to. That could change the internet, not just in Ireland either.
    I guess the big point is MONEY :rolleyes:
    It seems that groups are interested to restrict the contend available via internet, this includes copyright issues as well as political issues like promoting terror and drugs and whatever and each group will push for restrictions....
    At the moment for ISP to monitor traffic means spending money on it, but if there is a chance to lose more money in law suits they will maybe go for it.....
    So it boils down to politics and legislation......
    As I indicated above there is from a user perspective an easy way to stay clear of monitoring,and if people pick this up there is little point to enforce monitoring....just my 2 cents .....


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,046 ✭✭✭bealtine


    supervixen wrote: »
    So it boils down to politics and legislation......

    What I find fascinating is the lack of comment from our glorious Consumer Association and of course our pointless regulator, where are they?

    The difference between here and a civilised country :

    Norwegian regulator calls for support on net neutrality Thursday 26 February 2009 | 08:41 AM CET

    The Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority is calling for providers to endorse the guidelines on network neutrality. A number of parties from the Norwegian Internet industry are already backing network neutrality guidelines drawn up by a working group headed by the Norwegian Post and Telecommunications Authority (NPT). The parties that are supporting the guidelines are Get, ICT Norway, Lyse Tele, the Norwegian Media Businesses Association, NextGenTel, the Norwegian Cable TV Association, Schibsted, Telenor, Telio Telecom, the consumer protection agencies Consumer Ombudsman and the Consumer Council of Norway, in addition to NPT. The guidelines define three principles that outline how network neutrality guarantees internet users control over their own internet connection. The network neutrality guidelines are based on three principles: internet users are entitled to an internet connection that enables them to send and receive content of their choice, use services and run applications of their choice, connect hardware and use software of their choice that do not harm the network; internet users are entitled to an internet connection that is free of discrimination with regard to type of application, service or content or based on sender or receiver address.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,046 ✭✭✭bealtine


    bealtine wrote: »

    Norwegian regulator calls for support on net neutrality Thursday 26 February 2009 | 08:41 AM CET

    Here are the actual guidelines:

    Norwegian Net Neutrality Guidelines

    These can easily be transposed to the Irish situation.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,985 ✭✭✭skelliser


    taken from digital rights ireland website
    http://www.digitalrights.ie/


    Looks like we got it wrong. When we wrote about the deal between Eircom and the music industry we believed (as the early reports seemed to say) that it only involved a “three strikes” system and that the daft notion of internet filtering was off the table. But the nastygrams sent to the other ISPs have now been leaked (thanks Michele) so that we can now see just what was agreed with Eircom and what the music industry is demanding that other ISPs do - and filtering is still on the table:

    Leave aside for a moment the nonsense of sending this letter to a business - Blacknight - which doesn’t in fact provide internet access. The key words are these:

    Eircom has agreed that it will not oppose any application our client may make seeking the blocking of access from their network to the Pirate Bay or similar websites …

    Please confirm that Blacknight will also work with the record industry to end the abuse of the internet by peer to peer infringers … in the event of a positive response to this letter it is proposed to make practical arrangements with Blacknight of a like nature to those made with eircom.

    In short, as Adrian Weckler puts it:

    Irma is drawing up a list of websites it doesn’t like and Eircom will block them to all of its customers. And Irma is demanding that other ISPs do likewise, on pain of being sued.

    Eircom says that it will only block a website if a court order requests it to. But it has undertaken not to oppose any application to a court… Our judicial system is an adversarial one: it depends on someone opposing the action for a judge to come to a conclusion. If the opposing party enters no opposition, a basic standard of proof will be enough to satisfy the court.

    The net effect of this scheme, if it is allowed to go into effect, will be to impose an internet death penalty on two groups. On users, who will be cut off on the allegation of a private body, with no court involvement, and on websites, which could be blocked to Irish users based on a court hearing where only one side is heard. Damien Mulley makes the point well as usual:

    So first they’ll start with the Pirate Bay. Then comes Mininova, IsoHunt, then comes YouTube (they have dodgy stuff, right?), how long before we have Boards.ie because someone quoted a newspaper article or a section of a book? And don’t think they’ll stop there too, any site that links to The Pirate Bay and the others on the hate list will probably be added to the list too…

    I’m sure the business case for eircom was they didn’t want any more costly High Court actions with McDowell biting at their legs on the command of the music industry but this is going to open up a can of worms with IRMA demanding more and more attacks on how people surf the net, this is what it is in my view an attack on our freedom to read, our freedom to write, our freedom to move around the web. All so a very rich but rapidly becoming poor group of luddites can feel better for seeing the future and trying to fight it.

    And of course the costs of communications with IRMA and of the filtering is going to be passed on to the consumer. The cost of blocking a single site will be almost nothing I suppose but as more sites get added and as the arms race between the pirates and the ISPs escalates, then it’ll become complicated and complicated costs more. So again the majority get to pay…

    So what can you do about this? The first step is the most urgent. The other ISPs are at this very moment considering what steps to take. Although some (such as Bitbuzz) have been vocal in their opposition, caving in is the path of least resistance unless you show that this is an issue which matters to you and which determines where you’ll take your business. Contact your ISP - mark your email for the attention of their regulatory department - and let them know what you think. Contact emails for most ISPs are on the ISPAI website. Do it now - the decision on what to do will be made soon.

    The next thing to do is to get involved with a group which will fight this. We’re currently working on a few ideas and will let you know soon. But in the meantime you should go to Blackout Ireland who have been quick off the mark with a plan to black out the Irish internet for a week from March 5th. The Digital Rights forum on Boards.ie has also been abuzz with this issue, as has this thread on Broadband.

    Having done that, let the Minister for Communications - Eamon Ryan - know the damage that this is likely to cause. Don’t just rely on the civil rights arguments - business impact is more likely to get attention. Point out that if ISPs are forced to become the (unpaid!) copyright cops of the music industry, it will drive up their costs and set a dangerous precedent for other Irish internet businesses. Would you choose to establish an internet start up in Ireland if you thought you’d be made responsible for policing what your users do? Ask him to intervene to prevent irreparable damage to the Irish internet. Eamon Ryan’s email addresses are eamon.ryan@oireachtas.ie and minister@dcenr.gov.ie but a paper letter (Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, 29-31 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2) or fax ((01) 678 2029 or 2039) are more likely to get attention. You can also ring the Minister’s office on (01) 678 9807 - if you do, be polite and succinct. If you’re a constituent of his (in Dublin South) be sure to mention that fact and that this issue will influence how you vote in the next election.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,119 ✭✭✭Donald-Duck


    Spear wrote: »
    http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2009/02/26/1235237810486.html

    Similar attempts and ever more encompassing attempts in Australia failed. There was enough opposition, (only 10% of the public supported it) that even someone as clueless as a politician realised this was a very bad idea.
    I may be wrong, but in Australia the case was that everyone in the country had to go through a government proxy.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 92 ✭✭iamlegend2008


    Hi

    If there is anyone sitting on the fence on this issue, I read this and though it would be appropriate:

    "In Germany, they came first for the Communists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist;

    And then they came for the trade unionists, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist;

    And then they came for the Jews, And I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew;

    And then . . . they came for me . . . And by that time there was no one left to speak up."

    and a quick summary:

    We are about to enter a situation where an australian owned company will block access to websites deemed "illegal" by various record labels. These record labels will be required to obtain a court order but since eircom will not object to any court order, any court action on behalf of the record label is likely to succeed.

    One thing that I recommend is to take the time to explain the far reaching consequences of this to friends and neighbours whom may not be even aware of what is happening at the moment (but happily paying for broadband from their respective ISP). Their voices combined will speak louder than yours.

    Perhaps including the blackoutireland logo (or whatever logo is chosen for this protest) in your email signums may also spread the message. Some of you control websites that you could also add the logo to.

    The world is in a recession and people's attention is focussed on how they will provide for their families in the current climate. As such they may not have time for the concept of digital censorship and I do not believe its a coincidence as to the timing of this move by the record industry.

    Apathy is the greatest enemy.

    So lets get to work :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,191 ✭✭✭uncle_sam_ie


    So, If eircom starts censoring the web and I go around it like they do in China, will I be breaking the law or what?


  • Posts: 14,344 ✭✭✭✭ Boone Red Historian


    Random googling brought me to this:


    http://stephenspillane.blogspot.com/2009/02/i-have-joined-blackout-ireland.html
    Next Thursday (March 5th) has been designated as Black Thursday and the campaign will run for one full week from then. It is hoped that that week people will contact their ISP's and the Minister of Communications on this issue.


    Whats that about march 5th?


    EDIT: Also, just to add, i don't think it'll ever work. People will not care about it, until it is actually enforced. Then there'll be murders.


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  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 28,439 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Spon Farmer and Spear
    Read the rules at the start of this thread, this thread is NOT for discussing illegal downloading rights and wrongs which has already been done to death with over 500 posts in other threads, it is about censorship ONLY.

    Next person to start this type of debate gets infracted and if they continue gets banned

    Please stay On-Topic


    Cabaal,


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