UK ISP TalkTalk threatens lawsuit over 3-strikes disconnection proposal

Glyn sez, "TalkTalk, the second largest internet service provider in the UK, has threatened to launch legal action if the government implements three strikes [ed: the plan by which whole households will be disconnected from the net if one member is accused of violating copyright]. They claimed the government's plan was based on users being 'guilty until proven innocent.'

"The approach is based on the principle of 'guilty until proven innocent' and substitutes proper judicial process for a kangaroo court,"
"We know this approach will lead to wrongful accusations."

TalkTalk threatens legal action over Mandelson's filesharing plan (Thanks, Glyn!)

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MORE: censorship • Copyfight • human rights • politics

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Laurel L. Russwurm

Good for TalkTalk!

Maybe it’s because I grew up in a kinder gentler time (the Cold War) that I have a hard time believing how fast governments can throw out civil rights.
Kearn

So, if the law were to pass, couldn’t TalkTalk and/or any band, writer, or artist opposed to the the law just continually make claims against members of government representatives households? In effect, force the whole government and their families off the internet at home, and as soon as they jump through the legal hoops to get back online, file another complaint? Or are there some details of the law that would prevent that?
Anonymous

If I was in the UK I would SO be switching to them!!! Way to go, guys!
Anonymous

Thats awesome. Talktalk just went up in my estimation.
RevEng

@Kearn: They could, and I don’t believe any of the proposed “three strikes” rules include penalties against wrongful accusations, but knowingly submitting a false accusation could easily be considered harassment and fraud. I wouldn’t want to take the chance, especially against the government.
RevEng

Dear TalkTalk,

YAY! Finally an ISP with some backbone. The ISPs don’t want this law anymore than their user’s do — it will be a legal nightmare for them and will do nothing but anger their customers.

I think big media might finally realize they can pick on college students and single mothers, but other big companies can afford to fight back.
Anonymous

Our elite overlords show their true clueless class with this marvellous example of incestuous lobby.
Has the entertainment industry obviously got something on Mandy ? – one can only understand such an unpragmatic action from a former trade secretary if he is in their pocket – like Sarkozy.
Still their interests are aligned – the neo-socialist surveillance state will require the sort of deep packet inspection that the music industry will require.
It is impossible to imagine that such a unworkable law could ever pass parliament but if you compare it to drug prohibition then not so much.
I am sure the anti-surveillance tories will be filled with fear apon assuming power and proceed with this as friends of infotainment.
Just like prohibition it will require all sorts of laws to trump rights and due process to allow shadowy civil servants to examine everyones internets.
Sounds about as popular as a food tax.
Anonymous

AAISP, another UK ISP, agrees.
See http://aaisp.net.uk/news-digital-rights.html