Housemates and illegal internet usage

sarmer

Hi just a quick query. I've just found out that my housemates watch a lot of films online which is illegal. They also download music illegally. My name is on the internet account so if they get found out do I get in trouble? I don't use the internet for this and buy my music legally.

curlzy

Hey Sarmey,

Only Eircom penalise people for this. So if you're Eircom then don't let them use the line anymore. If not you should be grand.

Best of luck.

TwoShedsJackson

Are you splitting the bill for the broadband equally? If so, leave them to it, they're grown adults and it's not your job to police their internet usage.

If you are concerned about being prosecuted for copyright theft (which has next to nil chance of happening, but is a remote possibliity), get their names put on the bill as well.

The only other thing you can do is ask them not to use the internet for illegal activities, which has about a 0% chance of happening.

6679

Worst thing that will happen is you will get a warning in fact you will get 3 chances and if you dont your internet will be cut off and this is only with eircom.

sarmer

Thanks for the replies. We are actually all Irish but live in the Uk and we are with Sky so I guess there might be different laws here. We share the bill but my name is on it only.

grizzly

Just get your name swapped with one your housemates – you could offer to go on another bill.

seamus

Assuming that everyone is using their own computers, then it's irrelevant that your name is on the account.

You'd have to check what Sky UK's policy on filesharing is, but there are no legal ramifications for you personally. At worst your connection will be cut off, if that's Sky's policy in the UK.

Naikon

Unless you profit a bit from a copyright violation, it's always a civil manner, where monies are wanted. However, no criminal law is being broken in general. Even then the chances of getting caught, are slim to none.

Mr. Loverman

Are they using bittorrent or just streaming/downloading?

The latter is not illegal. You have to be uploading (publishing copyright information) to break the law.

I know this because I heavily researched the law when I used to own a torrents site...

Overheal

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

Are you splitting the bill for the broadband equally? If so, leave them to it, they're grown adults and it's not your job to police their internet usage.

Technically as long as his name is on the account, it is actually.

like others have said though the odds of repercussions are unlikely. But you cannot know for sure without looking at the applicable law in your jurisdiction whether or not it is going to matter if it's not your PC use or it isn't. In just as many jurisdictions the responsibility is levied on the bill-holder, eliminating the need for tireless defenses like "My cat did it".

If you're concerned I suggest getting the bill transferred into one of their names so they can harbor the responsibility.