Ireland implements three strikes file-sharing disconnection

Irish company Eircom has become the first ISP to actually implement the three strikes and you’re off the Internet rule.

As regular readers will be aware, this basically means that if you’re caught (allegedly) downloading illegal files, you’ll be warned several times, before being disconnected from the net by the ISP.

What’s truly notable about the situation in Ireland is that nothing has to be proved regarding the alleged illegal downloading. Three accusations is all that’s required for an Internet ban, with no actual proof needed.

Although strictly speaking it’s not quite a case of three strikes and you’re out. The Irish Times reports that the first two strikes will elicit warnings, and the third a short ban of a week.

The fourth strike will actually be the biggie, and it will result in being disconnected from the Internet for an entire year.

Eircom is calling the initiative a pilot scheme, and they will be “processing” some 50 IP addresses a week under it.

The ISP has taken the action due to legal threats from the Irish Recorded Music Association.

Dick Doyle, Director General of IRMA, told the Irish Times: “We are trying to encourage people to go back to legitimate networks to get their music.”

But with no proof even necessary, what about those people who are going to get illegitimately collared for one reason or another?

Expect a similar sort of measure to be introduced over here when the spectacularly ill-debated Digital Economy Act comes into full force.