NEW CRACKDOWN ON ILLEGAL DOWNLOADS
Ever watched a tv show that's been illegally downloaded? Erm, of course not. Cough cough.
A new crackdown is in the works from Australia's biggest Internet Providers, who've teamed up to create the 'Copyright Notice Scheme Industry Code'.
Telstra, Optus and iiNet will scan people's internet usage, and if they suspect any illegal downloading is going on, they'll kick off a 3 strikes style notification system. The first is an Education Notice, then a Warning Notice, and finally an Infringement Notice.
After that, the ISP can then send on your details to the rights holder of the copyrighted material(eg Holllywood movie studios), who then have the opportunity to take you to court/fine you.
Consumer group Choice is concerned about the move, saying there's not enough information about the fines, and is sending a 'letter of education' to the Minister for Communications Malcolm Turnbull. If you want to sign it, head here.
The ISPs are hoping to have the new system implemented by September this year.
