 An
online campaign to protest against moves to block access to certain
websites by Irish ISPs gets under way today.
Blackout Ireland is encouraging Irish internet users to contact their
service providers and Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan to voice
their opposition to the planned restrictions which are being spearheaded
by the Irish Recorded Music Association (Irma).
Internet users are also being asked to black out their profile pictures
on social networking sites such as Twitter, Bebo, Facebook and MySpace
for a week to show support for the campaign.
Irma, which represents EMI, Sony, Warners and Universal, has begun
contacting ISPs asking them to sign up to an agreement similar to the
one made with Eircom as part of an out of court settlement in a recent
copyright infringement case. Under the agreement, record companies will
give Eircom the IP addresses of those they say are illegally uploading
or downloading copyrighted works. Eircom has agreed to warn users to
cease copyright infringement, and will ultimately disconnect subscribers
who ignore the warnings under a three strikes and you're out
policy.
Eircom also agreed not to oppose moves by the industry group to block
access to websites such as The Pirate Bay, which is the subject of court
action in Sweden. The Swedish website provides links to music, films and
other content that can be downloaded by third parties. Irma is trying to
get other ISPs to agree to similar measures.
Blackout Ireland says it is a group of Irish internet users concerned
by the prospect of Ireland having a censored internet. We do not think
private companies should be allowed dictate what websites the Irish
people are allowed to visit, its website says.
The campaign is inspired by a similar one in New Zealand.
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