I recently opened up my mailbox and found this in it, a letter from my ISP...a really interesting read since it sounds like they are trying to be tough while being bullied themselves...

As happens every so often, unfortunately, there are persons on the
network who abuse their right to use the network by basically taking
up practically ALL the bandwidth available.

In this case, there have been a handful of users who have abused our
open network policy by uploading and downloading tremendous amounts
of files via filesharing programs such as Kazaa, Gnutella, etc.
They have been suspended from the network for abusing our network
policies, and more suspensions may follow.

In light of the recent recording industry suits brought against
illegal file-sharers-- and the direct letters we receive from the
RIAA and Motion Picture Association of America about specific
instances of illegal file sharing-- this abuse of peer-to-peer
software applications had all but slowed to the point where network
bandwidth wasn't being overly taxed. But not lately.

As stated in our general policies toward copyright violations, if
requested per law-- information about abusers will be shared. If
our bandwidth providers upstream threaten to drop us because of a
handful of abusers on our local networks such as this one, we will
not hesitate to drop the abusers from the local network.

We pride ourselves on not having to completely cut off use of
certain types of software such as Kazaa, but we also will not
tolerate complete abuse of them since this punishes others on the
network. Also-- as always-- VBNet reserves the right to cut persons
from the network for abusing the network that everyone shares. We
also reserve the right to police the network, up to and including
disallowing use of ANY peer-to-peer software if the abuse continues
to get out of hand.

We educate everyone on the best ways to use peer-to-peer software so
as not to be open to this kind of response by VBNet. If you refuse
to listen, you won't be tolerated on the network. If you threw away
the information packet given out by the complex in your move-in
materials, you should ask for another copy from the front office of
this complex and pay attention to the information about illegal file
sharing and how to best utilize peer-to-peer software. Even if you
follow our suggestions, it is still UP TO YOU NOT to abuse the
software itself.

Thank you,

Clay Acup
VBNet

What a group of pansies. Thank God for the freedom of choice so we can choose to drop ISP's that bend over and take it from the RIAA.

Archangel1701, the letter has some good points. P2P looks bad when lots of users use too much bandwidth.

The freedom of choice is swiftly being eradicated in this country. That's why we have to get active.

As for ISPs who bend over and take it from the RIAA...it's not like they have a choice. Most ISPs don't like it and several are fighting it, in court. The problem is- they're losing. So pray that they'll win this fight and don't waste your words admonishing ISPs. Almost all of them are on our side.

:-:~ Phantom

"In light of the recent recording industry suits brought against illegal file-sharers... this abuse of peer-to-peer software applications had all but slowed to the point where network bandwidth wasn't being overly taxed. But not lately."

In other words, the RIAA suits have a short-term effect, if any.

Doesn't know what type of files are being shared but they're making excuses on what they are policing...

Great job RIAA and cowardly money grubbing ISPs...

Hey they didn't call them PIRATES!!!! They should still stand behind their consumers! Phantom and a couple of them are fighting back but not all of them.. it takes numbers to kick butt we know that! When some take the backseat and give in then it's going to always be a losing battle for our ISP's! If ours would do something like that.. believe me I would change to one of the ones who are fighting for their clients!

So what ISP is this one?
It's mostlikely Qwest, AOL, or MSN.
I hate Qwest, they have very shity service, and they lied to us about being able to get DSL, thoes bastards.

I'd like to know which ISP will be the next to hit my Bad ISP list

The bandwidth is provided to be used. If the amount they have allocated is insufficient that's their problem. The customer is paying for the service so they shouldn't be bitching about the customer using the service. That's a little like saying, "I'll sell you this car- it can go 100 mph but you can only drive it 20 mph or I'll take it back"

the ISPs need to understand that P2P users pay cable internet customer bills, not the RIAA...if you can get a more reasonable ISP, do so, and write them a letter letting them know that you consider their interference intolerable.

maye our message that piracy is defined under title 18,chapter 81,section 1652 is being heard

What kind of connection do you have? Dial up? DSL? Cable?

So much for isps not being responsible for (or not knowing, as some have claimed) what people do with their computers. Also, this is what is coming from the isps being threatened to have to collect extra monies for the music companies.They really don't want that responsibility. All the extra paperwork..my my my... ~~pepe~~

I agree, code. Nevertheless, let's be respectable to good ISPs. They are on our side.

:-:~ Phantom

I agree with williamhbonney. Unlimited means unlimited. I pay $50 a month for DSL and if my ISP should decide to suspend/drop me for 'using too much bandwidth', then that's just too bad. There are plenty of others to choose from. Besides.. I don't see them complaining about people listening to internet radio for 8 hours a day (like I do)... Will I be dropped for this too? Doubt it... only if I'm 'stealing music'...

And if it's not unlimited? Then you're violating the terms of your contract with the ISP.

Streaming radio uses less bandwidth then p2p, in many cases. AOL has it built in to their dialup service. I know. I used to have aol dialup. Now I have AOL For Broadband for free. My employer pays for it.

:-:~ Phantom

all i gotta say is (sorry for actually swearing) FUCK THE ISPS WE PAY OUR $50 A MONTH WE DESERVE 1.5MPBS/256KPBS 24/7 EVERY SINGLE DAY EVERY SINGLE WEAK PROVIDE US WITH WHAT WE PAY FOR.

enough said you fucking scammers

sounds like at least some ISP's are laying the ground work for additional fees for P2P sharing, and what a kettle of worms that will be.

connection with the ISP will take on a whole new twist with paid p2p isp platforms, at least now I can firewall against certain kinds of connection from them, (I think?).

Dont forget a lot of ISPs are on our side

The ISPs are out to make money... Dont forget that... there is not much money in disabling people's connections, But as Hermit mentioned things might change..

Comcast is a great place to be right now. In light of their recent scandal and all, they can't afford another hit to their user base that would inevitably come if they sided with the RIAA.

I think that this a small isp that can't afford alot of bandwith and are trying to scare there users into cuting down on network bandwith. I don'tthink they will be mpntoring there users use of the network because if they do that they will make them libale for there users actions

What would happen if just one day people all over the country pulled the plug on all the ISP's services in protest do you think the ISP's would use that as a volley to the RIAA for hurting their business Hmmmmmmm.

Gaumond- exactly. We need to remember that some ISPs are on our side.

:-:~ Phantom

Comcast is a great place to be right now.
I use comcast and in reality, they have givin the RIAA all the info they requested with out a fight, simply here you go. I use comcast simply for the broadband, but if another comes to new mexico I am going to switch over.

The freedom of choice is swiftly being eradicated in this country.

sounds familiar here too

i haven't used p2p for a few weeks bar one evening to try getting some more samples... i got my money's worth for the year... I was doing nearly 20GB a month in the summer so i'm chillin on it for a while

until something new takes my interest - hmm, more Stargate? and my ISP does an even grander job - rolled the cable TV, phone and net into one bill - and i was not amused to have all 3 cut off after complaining i didnt want to pay it that way choice? what choice?

I have comcast that shit kicks ass

the living flesh will always succumb to the immortal fang of industry, studying, gathering, filing databases, identities encoded into digits, for security reasons, with all the time in our world, and all the flashy distractions to pacify, dominion is imminent.

I am all for RIAA and the MPA. But I disagree with ISPs dropping customers for bandwidth use, especially those that sign up for 'unlimited' connectivity. As far as file sharing, I'm all for it, as long as the files being shared are not copyrighted materials. As a producer, I spend a great deal of monies on music projects. As some of you may know, to get an artists music out there, to top radio stations, etc., a good budget of $700 to $1000 per song, not CD, but per song should be the limit, with a range more towards the top. The last CD project for a Contemporary Christian artist cost about 11 hundred bucks per song, it had 11 tracks on the CD. Do the math. That's why buying the CD is so important to artists, producers, engineers, etc., all involved with music and other media. I have NO PROBLEM with sharing files as long as they are not illegal. I do believe it is wrong, and wrong in the eyes of the Lord, if someone purchases a CD, copies music/songs, and puts them out there for file sharing purposes. Think of it. Would any of you want to spend mega bucks to get that one excellent CD in front of the public, at stores, air play on the radio, maybe even a video (more money there spent) and have it given away over the internet? I think not. Just think about it. Hey, if you say it's OK to share copyrighted material, let me know where you live and I'll come take your car without you knowing it, of course, it wouldn't be steeling, now would it?.

I agree with you edjuizzyu. I joined here recently and in a forum asked why I couldnt turn off "downloads" of my music as I just wanted folk to listen rather than keep a copy of my stuff. I got a lot of rude nasty replies about being a "money head"...guess I got the right to go these same peoples places and help myself to their music gear, car and money huh? Also found that the most vocal opponents of my opinion were those who didnt even SUBMIT music to dmusic. OF course they want the cake and eat it too! MEMEMEMEMEME RULES LMAO...They see me come in asking about my rights here and Im instantly THE ENEMY..well fuck you all losers.
And you know why?? Coz dmusic management CHANGED how things are done here coz of my enquiries. Now a non-subscriber CAN turn off D/L's if they want to.

A BIG THANK YOU to fu-dog for that! Seems that decent people listen to reasonable requests. I know it wont stop illegal D/L'ing completely as there are mp3 players that will save a stream etc. but at least you know what the artist's intent is and if you break that intent you break copyright.

My gripe with RIAA isnt about whether they got the right to protect their material, coz you cant argue they dont have that right without sounding just plain fucking stupid. My gripe is that too few artists have been given the chance to be promoted or seen by the public at the expense of the thousands who are just as good but simply ignored for the sake of greed or lack of vision. Is Britney that more talented than say the best of World Idol singers??? Does Madonna deserve her "forever a star" status??

Music is like a passing stool..keep it fresh and moving forward before it stalls and gives us all massive flatulence. Long Live Original New Music!

http://pentultima.dmusic.com

Bottom fucking line: If the people want something in this country, and the laws that bar them from receiving those things are completely unfair and unjust, we will find a way to get it no matter what. Along the way, a few of our brothers and sisters will fall for the cause, but in the end we always will prevail, for the most. Whether it be from them breaking and coming to some agreement, or them being stuborn and us having to resort to being sneaky and fiendish. Either way, for the most, we will prevail. Don't stop fighting this horrible system. Fuck them.

so uh...who's up for a t-1, t-2 or t-3? heh!

Okay... I do go out and buy my music... I do go out to the stores... But what if it's something I can't find? What if it's stuff that has stopped being released? What if I can't find it on E-bay? I'm going to be punished for downloading it for free if it's not available anywhere else? That kinda sucks, don't you think?