With media piracy evolving from an internet annoyance into a broader economic affliction in recent years, both public and private entities have taken notice and demanded stricter copyright enforcement efforts. After several months of delay, Center for Copyright Information (CCI) recently confirmed that it will debut its Copyright Alert System before the end of the year.
One of the prevailing myths surrounding this new framework is that it will be a "six-strike" system, implying that users will have their internet service revoked after being accused of piracy more than five times. In reality, according to Digital Trends, it will be a sliding scale of between four and six notifications depending on the severity of offenses. And at no time will CCI officials assume authority to bar web usage.
According to Ars Technica, the system will be more educational than punitive. As users progress up the notification chain, every effort will be made to notify them of the potential consequences of illegally downloading protected materials and to steer them in the direction of legitimate alternatives. For instance, users reaching the latter stages of the program may be shown more elaborate, instructive educational videos to deter illegal behavior.
Some logistical questions remain unanswered, according to the news source, including how users will be notified of potential violations and what happens when the so-called sixth strike is achieved. CCI officials have suggested that for the most severe cases, internet service providers could choose to reduce network speeds or disable access, and rights holders would likely have grounds to move forward with a lawsuit.