Originally posted by tortoise55:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/STIStory_158811.html
[b]Odex to get ISPs to issue online warnings
A DISTRIBUTOR of Japanese animated movies, or anime, has adopted a
new tactic in its battle to stop illegal downloads here.
The firm, Odex, will ask Internet service providers (ISPs) to
forward warnings to subscribers it suspects of this activity,
asking them to 'cease and desist'.
Many in the online anime community here say Odex should have done
this in the first place instead of a legal crackdown that sparked
off an online hate campaign.
Since May, the firm has tried to get details of alleged infringers
from ISPs here in order to send them letters demanding settlement
sums of $3,000 to $5,000.
Spokesmen for the three ISPs said they have not yet been formally
contacted by Odex and declined to disclose what they will do until
they have more details.
Odex director Stephen Sing said the firm will not ask ISPs to
disclose the identities of subscribers, but to forward an
electronic notice from Odex to the alleged infringer.
The notice will list the alleged infringements. Subscribers can
click on the link on the notice; they will be asked to acknowledge
receipt of the notice and promise not to download any more pirated
anime.
If they deny they have done this, they will have a chance to
explain their position with the same link.
Mr Sing said if the subscriber does not respond, the firm will
consider a court order to get his ISP to release his details.
The firm has changed tactics hoping the individual with the
Internet subscription - often a parent whose child is downloading
anime at home - will rein in such activities if they find out about
them.[/b]
The firm has changed tactics hoping the individual with the
Internet subscription - often a parent whose child is downloading
anime at home - will rein in such activities if they find out about
them.
"Almost all the parents we spoke to said they would have stopped
their children from downloading if they had known about it," said
Mr Sing.
He said downloaders are more combative and believe they should be
allowed to continue downloading copyrighted content.
A survey by the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore this year
showed only one in five people here is "bothered" by copyright
infringement.
Odex sent a warning list to the National University of Singapore
(NUS) earlier this year.
Professor Alan Chan, associate provost for undergraduate education,
said NUS has formally warned a number of students.
"As an educational institution, we must protect and honour the
integrity of intellectual property," said Prof Chan.
Source: The Straits Times, Tuesday, 18th Sept 2007, Pg H2
