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The music and film industries have launched a fight back against online piracy today, persuading Britain's six biggest Internet providers, BT, Virgin Media, Orange, Tiscali, BSkyB and Carphone Warehouse, to send warning letters to those suspected of illegal file-sharing. The plan is aimed at an estimated 6.5 million Britons who have downloaded files illegally over the past year.

ISPs had previously argued they were mere conduits and not responsible for content. But they agreed to the deal after the government said it would impose legislation if they did not work to curb illegal file-sharing.

Update: Guardian is reporting that "fears have been raised after six of the UK's biggest ISPs agreed with the government, music industry body the BPI and the Motion Picture Association to significantly reduce illegal filesharing in the UK within three years… Internet service providers have pledged not to 'spy' on the web habits of customers as part of an agreement with the government to punish illegal sharing of music and films."

Read full story: Reuters

Related topics: Access Providers, Broadband, Law, P2P, Policy & Regulation, Telecom