AT&T Won't Terminate User Service For RIAA Without a Court Order

On Wednesday, we discussed news that AT&T had begun sending takedown notices to users whom the RIAA has accused of illegally downloading copyrighted works. Cox and Comcast are both cooperating with the RIAA in that regard as well. However, while Cox seems willing to shut off service in the case of repeat offenders, Comcast denied that it was considering a similar penalty, and AT&T said they'll flat out refuse to terminate service on the RIAA's word alone; it will take a court order. They seem satisfied with the effect letters have had on inhibiting such downloads: "'It's a standard part of everybody's terms of service,' [AT&T senior executive vice president Jim Cicconi] said. 'If somebody is engaging in illegal activity, it basically gives us the right to do it ... We're not a finder of fact and under no circumstances would we ever suspend or terminate service based on an allegation from a third party. We're just simply reminding people that they can't engage in illegal activity.' Cicconi said the company began testing this kind of 'forward noticing' late last year and even experimented with sending certified letters. Cicconi said the notices worked. The company saw very few repeat offenders."

Re:Good for AT&T!

[telomerewhythere]

Hear, Hear!! The only possible downside is my mom getting this letter and coming down to my fortress of solitude (basement), and cutting my plugs while watchmen is seeding to the requisite 1.5 and, it being 12 noon, me being so passed out I can't hear her.

/run on sentence

Re:Cover your arse.

[DamienNightbane]

You know, this may be the fastest that I've ever seen a thread go from 0 to Godwin.

Re:Good for AT&T!

[mustafap]

lol. I don't think you would have to get rid of the Internet to get that to happen, just getting rid of Slashdot will do just fine :o)

Re:Good for AT&T!

[Anonymous Coward]

example: to prove resistance, a phone bill is required many parts of the country.

I had no idea the requirements for becoming a US citizen have changed. Can't you just get a signed statement from the British embassy saying that you're recognized as resisting the rule of the Queen?

Re:Good for AT&T!

[Tubal-Cain]

This is the *only* sensible course of action.

I disagree. We could always nuke the site from orbit.