Tag Archive for Copyright Alert System

RIAA Presentation: Copyright Alert System and Voluntary Initiatives to Combat Piracy

A presentation from Victoria Sheckler, Deputy General Counsel of the Recording Industry Association of America, was presented at an International Federation of the Phonographic Industry meeting in Panama in April 2012. It contains information on an upcoming effort by internet service providers to police their users’ sharing of copyrighted material called the Copyright Alert System. The presentation also discusses other voluntary measures such as agreements by payment processors to stop doing business with sites that are “repeat offenders” and efforts to encourage domain name registrars to enforce stricter “whois” policies.

Center for Copyright Information ISP Copyright Alert System Memorandum of Understanding

While the government maintains a critical role in enforcing copyright law, it should be readily apparent that, in an age of viral, digital online distribution, prosecution of individual acts of infringement may serve a purpose, but standing alone this may not be the only or best solution to addressing Online Infringement. If Online Infringement is to be effectively combated, law enforcement must work with all interested parties, including copyright holders, their licensees, artists (and the guilds, unions and other organizations that represent them), recording companies, movie studios, software developers, electronic publishers, Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”), public interest groups, other intermediaries and consumers on reasonable methods to prevent, detect and deter Online Infringement. Such efforts must respect the legitimate interests of Internet users and subscribers in protecting their privacy and freedom of speech, in accessing legitimate content, and in being able to challenge the accuracy of allegations of Online Infringement. This work should include an educational component because evidence suggests that most informed consumers will choose lawful services and not engage in Online Infringement. This work also should include the development of solutions that are reasonably necessary to effectuate the rights that are granted by copyright without unduly hampering the legitimate distribution of copyrighted works online or impairing the legitimate rights and interests of consumers and ISPs.