Eircom To Block Users From Connecting To The Pirate Bay

#1 · 20-08-2009 1:29am #1

The funny thing is, aren't The Pirate Bay introducing a registration fee of sometime soon in order to pay copyright owners - making downloading from the site legal?

Eircom to block internet access to Pirate Bay as other firms refuse

EIRCOM WILL block its internet customers accessing the Pirate Bay website from September 1st, but other internet service providers (ISPs) have refused a similar request from Irish record labels

Syferus · 20-08-2009 2:06am

Sierra Oscar wrote: »

The funny thing is, aren't The Pirate Bay introducing a registration fee of sometime soon in order to pay copyright owners - making downloading from the site legal?

Eircom to block internet access to Pirate Bay as other firms refuse

Indeed. The Pirate Bay was bought out and some time this month it is supposed to switch to a pay-for-download service that pays the copyright owners.

It highlights how half-heartedly Eircom are following through with their out-of-court agreement. If they push it too hard they know they will just lose a large amount of 'causal' downloaders. I guess they should have though about that before they decided to cave.

amacachi · 20-08-2009 5:48am

I thought Eircom were meant to be implementing a "three strikes" rule? Was worried because some of the torrents I was downloading were using TPB's tracker, but I haven't gotten any notice yet. Might be because they're all legal ones I'm downloading.

Rosco_Weird · 20-08-2009 5:50am

yea i read that they have you a warning to let you know it illegal,but not sure if you get 3 strikes,once they tell you there's no excuse to continue

And it doesn't start till sept 1st so you still have some time lol

MrStuffins · 20-08-2009 5:56am

So it's started, Eircom and other like minded companies are going to start telling us what sites we can and can't access, this will set a precident. If this starts, where will it stop? The govt stopping people from accessing Boards.ie because some people here don't like them?

This is ridiculous!

And even more ridiculous is the fact that by the time access is blocked, The Pirate Bay will be a legitimate business :rolleyes:

Rosco_Weird · 20-08-2009 6:00am

MrStuffins wrote: »

If this starts, where will it stop? The govt stopping people from accessing Boards.ie because some people here don't like them?

This is ridiculous!

Not really,the pirate bay allows people to illegal download music and movies etc,brech copy right laws and what not...where are this site is not illegal...

its like...oh they banned weed..what are goonna do next..ban cough medicine cos some people dont like the taste?

smellslikeshoes · 20-08-2009 6:04am

Am I the only one who thinks the timing is a little too good that Eircom have agreed to block them with only a few weeks till they go legal? Seems like they just went and threw in the towel since they knew people wouldn't care about pirate bay soon.

I really dislike internet censorship though and more power to the other isp's who refuse to bend over.

MrStuffins · 20-08-2009 6:05am

Rosco_Weird wrote: »

Not really,the pirate bay allows people to illegal download music and movies etc,brech copy right laws and what not...where are this site is not illegal...

its like...oh they banned weed..what are goonna do next..ban cough medicine cos some people dont like the taste?

I can't tell if you're agreeing with me or disagreeing.

The site is not illegal, it is the actions of the users of the site which is illegal. So if they can ban us from accessing this site, what is stopping them from banning us accessing other sites?

This government has just made blasphemy illegal, it's not beyond belief that they would block access to sites they don't like

Cabaal · 20-08-2009 8:25am

MrStuffins wrote: »

This government has just made blasphemy illegal, it's not beyond belief that they would block access to sites they don't like

The goverment isn't the one putting the block in place eircom are,

Eircom as a network provider can decide what to allow/not allow on their own network as they manage it and pay for it, users who do copyright infringement are already breaching eircoms T&C's so this I guess is the next logical step to prevent this.

Now I'm not saying I necessarily support eircom in relation to these actions, such actions are a very slippery slope towards censorship based on what media companys want blocked...you have to remember eircom are doing this based on these media companys to.

Its a worrying development but none the less it will be interesting to see if it actually has ANY affects on eircoms user base and their ability to access the pirate bay.

In addition one has to be curious about how eircom will implement a block, the easiest solution would be block it on their DNS servivers I guess.

But then given that so many boards users have already changed from using eircoms DNS servers due to recent DNS issues on the eircom network such a block is likely to have little or no affect to any somewhat tech savvy people.

declanreilly · 20-08-2009 9:02am

Does anyone know will the other providers using Eircom's Network have to implement the block? I guess it will depend on how Eircom implement it eh.

cornbb · 20-08-2009 9:17am

I was pleasantly surprised to hear that UPC and BT will not be following suit. I'm glad someone is actually doing some thinking in these places, and I'm glad that the Eircom thing won't necessarily be a precedent.

I wouldn't hold my breath for a sensible solution for the whole thing though. Neither the legal system nor the media have historically shown any sort of in-depth understanding of the moral or technical complexities behing the issue, mainly to do with privacy and freedom of access to the internet. Arbitrarily blocking access to a site like this is just so pointless, TPB represents a drop in the ocean of file sharing/downloading. Its just a load of sabre-rattling and bullying from IMRO et al.

Nevyn · 20-08-2009 9:20am

declanreilly wrote: »

Does anyone know will the other providers using Eircom's Network have to implement the block? I guess it will depend on how Eircom implement it eh.

That is a really good question, certainly makes me glad I am not on the old copper network of lines for my broadband.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0819/breaking49.htm

UPC refuses to block Pirate Bay

UPC Ireland, the parent company of the NTL and Chorus cable television operators, has rejected a request from music companies to block access to the Pirate Bay website.

A statement released today by UPC said solicitors acting on behalf of the Irish divisions of EMI, Warner, Universal and Sony had asked the company to block the website but they refuse to do so.

The statement read: “UPC has informed the rights holders that there is no basis under Irish law requiring an ISP to block access to certain websites and that it will not agree to a request that goes beyond what is currently provided for under Irish law.”

“Should the rights holders proceed with their threat of legal action if UPC fails to block access to Pirate Bay, UPC has every intention of vigorously defending its position in Court.”

Seems ericom are happy to have other isp fight this battle.

ZeRoY · 20-08-2009 9:24am

Hilarious news this morning, how stupid can it get. This is of course entirely and completely useless and will only bring angry customers to question the legal ground of such a request, i mean Ireland isnt China yet is it?

A good laugh for sure anyways!

Hellrazer · 20-08-2009 9:40am

This was on Newstalk this morning.
They had the head of Irma and to be totally honest he really hadnt a clue--Dick by name Dick by nature in all fairness

Personally Ill be leaving Eircom if they implement this not because I use Piratebay but because Im not letting an ISP tell me what I can or cant look at on the internet.

Rabidlamb · 20-08-2009 9:50am

Cabaal wrote: »

Its a worrying development but none the less it will be interesting to see if it actually has ANY affects on eircoms user base and their ability to access the pirate bay.

In addition one has to be curious about how eircom will implement a block, the easiest solution would be block it on their DNS servivers I guess.

But then given that so many boards users have already changed from using eircoms DNS servers due to recent DNS issues on the eircom network such a block is likely to have little or no affect to any somewhat tech savvy people.

As said above, most people who are "tech savy" enough to run torrents will easily switch DNS servers or just use a proxy.

I can't see what this announcement does except advertise the pirate bay.

Flying Abruptly · 20-08-2009 9:52am

Under an out-of-court agreement with EMI Records, Sony Music, Universal Music and Warners in January, Eircom agreed to cut off customers found to be repeatedly downloading music illegally. The deal also required Eircom to cut off access to Pirate Bay if requested.

This sounds like theyre going to cut off your whole connection to broadband. Are the going to do this or just block you going to the actual TPB site?

Cabaal · 20-08-2009 9:53am

Flying Abruptly wrote: »

This sounds like theyre going to cut off your whole connection to broadband. Are the going to do this or just block you going to the actual TPB site?

Eircoms whole three strikes this has been discussed to death before, lets try keep on topic in this thread....use the search function if you want to find out info about the whole three strikes announcement

Blindpew · 20-08-2009 9:57am

If it's only access to the pirate bay website that they are blocking it would be easy to use a proxy server to access the site. If they are blocking the tracker however it would cause more problems as a lot of sites have torrents using it. I wonder if they will ban Hotfile and Rapidshare and all the fast download services as well? Eircom may be the company that finally cleans up the internet.

ZeRoY · 20-08-2009 10:03am

Blindpew wrote: »

If they are blocking the tracker however it would cause more problems as a lot of sites have torrents using it.

ah ah ah, do you really think they even know what a tracker is? Looking at how stupid they are releasing those statements i think not.

is_that_so · 20-08-2009 10:07am

Rabidlamb wrote: »

As said above, most people who are "tech savy" enough to run torrents will easily switch DNS servers or just use a proxy.

I can't see what this announcement does except advertise the pirate bay.

Yep, I think the aim is to frighten people off in the same way that companies in the US went after individuals with massive fines. TPB is far more than IRMA's very narrow focus. As has always been the case with the web, people will find ways around it and will always locate free stuff. Far better to embrace it in and look for more imaginative ways to offer copyrighted material than threatening people.

jamieh · 20-08-2009 10:14am

Hi all,

I'm using OpenDNS but on Eircom BB.

I presume I'll still be able to access PB as I'm not using eircom dns?

Hellrazer · 20-08-2009 10:17am

jamieh wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm using OpenDNS but on Eircom BB.

I presume I'll still be able to access PB as I'm not using eircom dns?

It depends if thats how they go about blocking it.Ive a feeling they might cop onto customers using opendns.

mickoneill30 · 20-08-2009 10:21am

If only there was another torrent site on the internet.

jamieh · 20-08-2009 10:31am

Hellrazer wrote: »

It depends if thats how they go about blocking it.Ive a feeling they might cop onto customers using opendns.

Ah c'mon....its Eircom

Hellrazer · 20-08-2009 10:35am

jamieh wrote: »

Ah c'mon....its Eircom

Suppose so!!!!We`re all safe then!!

the_syco · 20-08-2009 11:53am

If they do do a blanket ban, won't the resellers be affected?

Spear · 20-08-2009 12:07pm

the_syco wrote: »

If they do do a blanket ban, won't the resellers be affected?

No, resellers use Eircoms copper and some equipment in the exchange, but not Eircom's larger network, DNS etc.

CptSternn · 20-08-2009 12:24pm

Cabaal wrote: »

The goverment isn't the one putting the block in place eircom are...such actions are a very slippery slope towards censorship based on what media companys want blocked...you have to remember eircom are doing this based on these media companys to.

American companies might I add. These are not based in Europe, and the fee's they collect (i.e. extort) go to fund lawyers in America, not the artists. The RIAA and MPAA are both groups of lawyers who are paid through the monies they raise extorting it from lawsuits surrounding their various industries which in turn pays their salaries and gives them the money to fund more lawsuits.

Either way it appears an Irish company has caved to pressure from an American company, which is sad as when this same sort of case went before Spanish courts two years ago the music companies lost - the EU ruled against them, which begs the question why are they not fighting this.

Also, this news was announced back in February. At that time there was no definite dates set. Note one other thing from that article:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/02/23/irma_demands_irish_isps_block_access_to_piracy_sites/

Under the settlement deal, Eircom has agreed not to oppose any court applications to blacklist websites. Speaking to The Sunday Business Post, an Eircom spokesperson confirmed IRMAs claims of the provider's automatic compliance.

The music labels said the notorious den of P2P, The Pirate Bay, will be the first website targeted under its new censorship regime before it moves unto "similar websites."

I wonder which other sites will be blocked on Sept 1st - Eircom has already agreed to block whatever sites the RIAA/MPAA request, so that means they already have a list ready.

lynchie · 20-08-2009 12:29pm

jamieh wrote: »

Hi all,

I'm using OpenDNS but on Eircom BB.

I presume I'll still be able to access PB as I'm not using eircom dns?

I'd assume they will drop all packets to / from tpb ip address on their routers so using another dns or straight ip wont work.

kida · 20-08-2009 1:22pm

CptSternn wrote: »

Either way it appears an Irish company has caved to pressure from an American company, which is sad as when this same sort of case went before Spanish courts two years ago the music companies lost - the EU ruled against them, which begs the question why are they not fighting this.

they can't afford to - most people won't bother moving

the cost of fighting it < cost of customers lot

what will be interesting if UPC are taken to court and win will Eircom reverse their decision

homer911 · 20-08-2009 1:23pm

I've noticed this in Vodafone's home broadband package T&C's:

"....The service may not be used for peer to peer data usage..."

ntlbell · 20-08-2009 1:26pm

ssh solves everything.

Orion · 20-08-2009 2:02pm

homer911 wrote: »

I've noticed this in Vodafone's home broadband package T&C's:

"....The service may not be used for peer to peer data usage..."

So, for example, if you play World of Warcraft and use Blizzzards downloader to get updates you're in breach of the Vodafone T&C. What idiot wrote that?

Fergus · 20-08-2009 2:12pm

story has made slashdot too:
http://yro.slashdot.org/story/09/08/20/1227210/Irish-ISP-To-Block-Access-To-Pirate-Bay

Wcool · 20-08-2009 2:16pm

Do you think this move was discussed with the new owner?
I wonder if Singapore Telecom is approving this.
Sounds like commercial suicide to me and maybe some nasty legal battles to establish if this kind of practice is allowed.

jor el · 20-08-2009 2:24pm

Wcool wrote: »

Do you think this move was discussed with the new owner?

Singapore Telecom don't own eircom yet, and will have no input in the decisions of the company at this point.

Dotsie~tmp · 20-08-2009 5:23pm

Does anybody really believe that any block wont be circumvented within a minute. They are fighting the tide. Best learn how to swim.

Ranicand · 20-08-2009 6:11pm

Once they start blocking sites things will get worse fast.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Internet_blackholes.svg

Blue No censorship
Yellow Some censorship
Red Under surveillance
Black Internet black holes (most heavily censored nations)

We are already yellow.

Syferus · 20-08-2009 6:36pm

Ranicand wrote: »

Once they start blocking sites things will get worse fast.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Internet_blackholes.svg

Blue No censorship
Yellow Some censorship
Red Under surveillance
Black Internet black holes (most heavily censored nations)

We are already yellow.

As are just about every major western country besides Australia, who have a chequered history with all forms of state censorship.

I wouldn't call the death knell of anything but record label's pursuit of peer-to-peer - word coming from the US earlier this year was that labels are planning to wind down court proceedings against people, organsations and ISPs over the next two years. Even if Eircom is in a vice, the labels realise they lost this battle many years ago.

Or maybe we should all move to the Congo.

Zenith74 · 20-08-2009 7:57pm

Have a read of this - http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/02/23/irma_demands_irish_isps_block_access_to_piracy_sites/ . This won't be limited to PirateBay, Eircom are literally at the whim of IRMA and what they feel like blocking.

hightower1 · 21-08-2009 2:25pm

So if a newspaper (legitimate media) started running adverts sections entitled "stolen goods" were shut down for allowing people access to illegally distributed material ..... would you call this cencorship?

Allowing someone break the law when your aware of it is called aiding and abetting in the states. Companies are entitled to stop the illegal distribution of their material no matter where be it on a stall in a market or on website on the net. The law can be applied on or off the net.

We ALL know what Pirate bay is used for and none of us are naive enough to think otherwise. Hiding behind a thin veil of "civil liberties" and cries of cencorship is insulting the the common sense and intelligence of ones self and everyone else.

"Cencorship" is already in place on the net in this counrty. Sites containing or helping in child porographic images are shut down every day for breaking the law, people are prositcuted and users of these sites tracked down aka operation amathist. If they cried out cencorship or civil liberties you'd laugh at them. (tasteless as that image is)
In theroy yes everyone has their right to express themselves.... they do not have the right to break the law nor do they have the right to supply a direct means to break the law.

mattman · 21-08-2009 4:39pm

if Eircom block "anything", ill move back to bt.

What next? block what!

I dont use pirate bay, in fact i never heard of it till the news.

Last time i checked it was a free country..

m.

mickoneill30 · 21-08-2009 5:02pm

mattman wrote: »

I dont use pirate bay, in fact i never heard of it till the news.

That's a great point. I'd say most users of Piratebay have heard about it because of RIAA etc.
Just wait till they focus on their next target in the US. That'll give the next site piles of free advertising and new users.

If Eircom block Pirate Bay I'm presuming they won't be blocking sites like ipanonymiser and all the other proxy sites on the internet.

thefinalstage · 21-08-2009 5:24pm

This right here, this is bull****! Oh, there will be rabbling. I don't give a **** about PirateBay its more what this move represents. Censorship on the internet.

CMacH · 21-08-2009 5:47pm

In anticipation of losing The Pirate Bay, I decided to make myself coffee and settle down to search for a similar site to TPB. Before the kettle had boiled, I found one that provides exactly the same service (in fact the searches tend to be even more accurate).
So, Eircom. What ya gonna do now, eh? Send some hired goons around to my house and break my arms. F...ing idiots.

Gerard_Smith · 21-08-2009 7:29pm

Thats it I'm moving to Smart.

jay-me · 22-08-2009 4:06am

CMacH wrote: »

In anticipation of losing The Pirate Bay, I decided to make myself coffee and settle down to search for a similar site to TPB. Before the kettle had boiled, I found one that provides exactly the same service (in fact the searches tend to be even more accurate).
So, Eircom. What ya gonna do now, eh? Send some hired goons around to my house and break my arms. F...ing idiots.

Google can be used to search for torrents ffs plus the countless other free torrent sites like btjunkie btmon etc. Even if they do implement this there will always be darknets. Fully encrypted p2p networks that friends can share amongst themselves and the "friends" will grow exponentially if there is no other sources! I personally think peoiple should boycott Eircom due to this and email them telling them so!

Tea_Bag · 22-08-2009 10:06am

the really sad thing imo is that p2p is a brilliant file sharing idea, and IRMA et al shouldnt be hammering it, but embracing it as the future of distribution.

nayorleck114 · 22-08-2009 10:31am

I personally don't both use the site for music, Find it easier to pay the 99c on itunes to get the song I want. Buts its crazy to block a site another will just popup. The music industry has to move with the times. If the artist is good people will pay for the concert or the CD. U2 during their last concert in Dublin had large crowds, the music industry should target them with signed CD's of the concert (at a price) with personalised photos on cover? I would pay 50 to 60 euros for a CD like that. The industry has to re-invent themselves and look for better revenue streams. As a Kid I rememeber recording songs onto cassette from Radio, I had no money I could not afford to buy them. But later in life I went to concerts to see the same artists I listened to as a kid.

I could download a great copy of a Movie from Internet, but its great to go to Cinema and enjoy it on big screen. And with 3D movies more people will want to go to big screen.

Censorship is the wrong way to go. We are not china. There are hundreds of sharing sites on internet.

why not offer all music for a set price of say 10 euros a month on itunes? and use the medium to advertise to listener? the industry should reform instead of sueing a teenager. There has always been piracy. (in some form)

If you look back 200 years only the rich could afford to listen to music, 80% of population had no access. (how many people acutally heard the music of Beethoven in his day?)

Music and the arts should be a right to all, (not just those who can afford it) but the artists should have a right to rewards (and the industry has to adapt to see what revenue streams they can use).

I think the industry should spend their money on other things that targeting pirate bay, its a no brainer. Piracy will just evolve to next level of encription.

Better that the kid a stuck for hours in their rooms listening to music than vandalizing the streets.

blubloblu · 22-08-2009 7:44pm

hightower1 wrote: »

We ALL know what Pirate bay is used for and none of us are naive enough to think otherwise. Hiding behind a thin veil of "civil liberties" and cries of cencorship is insulting the the common sense and intelligence of ones self and everyone else.

"Cencorship" is already in place on the net in this counrty. Sites containing or helping in child porographic images are shut down every day for breaking the law, people are prositcuted and users of these sites tracked down aka operation amathist. If they cried out cencorship or civil liberties you'd laugh at them. (tasteless as that image is)
In theroy yes everyone has their right to express themselves.... they do not have the right to break the law nor do they have the right to supply a direct means to break the law.

Eircom don't block any child porn sites. Shows where their priorities lie. People are genuinely concerned when legal websites are blocked for commercial reasons. People who download unauthorized MP3s have nothing to worry about. It's people who know that pirate bay represents the canary in the coal mine.

OutlawPete · 22-08-2009 10:44pm

nayorleck114 wrote: »

I could download a great copy of a Movie from Internet, but its great to go to Cinema and enjoy it on big screen. And with 3D movies more people will want to go to big screen.

Censorship is the wrong way to go. We are not china. There are hundreds of sharing sites on internet.

Exactly, I think these movie companies are putting their energy in the wrong direction.

I'm at home now kinda bored - within minutes I could download Funny People which I'm dying to see but I'd much rather wait till next Friday when it opens and get the best possible enjoyment from it ..

Eircom To Block Users From Connecting To The Pirate Bay

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