For over a decade the music industry has been chasing ISPs to block and report illegal downloaders. New moves by the UK Telco giant BT could be the answer to all their dreams. BT is planning an online music download site with a difference: no profits at the start, and a role in the war on piracy. In the past there’s been lots of talk about combatting downloads, but ISPs have always used the ‘carrier’ defence, that they’re blind to the data flowing through their pipes. If this new move plays out, then it will be a step-change for the role of ISPs. Is it one of the most significant steps in squashing illegal downloads? More here on BT’s plans…
BT has confirmed plans to launch a not-for-profit music download service, in an attempt to wean its customers off illegal file-sharing networks.
According to a leaked ‘invitation to tender’ document seen by The Guardian newspaper, BT is currently in talks with the major music labels, and plans to roll out the service to its 5.5 million broadband users “in the near future”.
The service will be based on a subscription model, though details of pricing are scant. BT will forgo a profit for the first six to nine months, meaning the service will be free to access for its customers, but the company could introduce charging after that time.
“We are very keen to launch a music service in the near future, but it will have to be with a model that customers will want and can work financially for BT,” said the company in a statement to eWEEK Europe. “We are in the early development stage so we are not currently in a position to comment further.”