Dutch anti-piracy unit targets ISPs

Name file-sharers or else

The Dutch Protection Rights Entertainment Industry Netherlands (BREIN) has launched its largest round of lawsuits yet targeting 42 individuals suspected of illegally swapping copyrighted music. However, in order to identify the song swappers, BREIN will sue five Dutch ISPs who so far have rigorously refused to co-operate.

Eight suspected file swappers have already settled with BREIN for €2100 each. But the five biggest Dutch ISPs - AtHome, Chello, Wanadoo, Planet Internet and Tiscali - have declined to hand over the names of the other 42 song swappers. BREIN only knows these individuals by their IP address.

BREIN is confident its actions will have some effect, even if it loses the court case next month. Similar "shock and awe" lawsuits in Germany have already seen illegal file-sharing fall by one third. ®

Related stories

ISP sues Dutch gov for snooping costs
BPI nails 'music pirates'
Spanish MP3 site owner to pay RIAA $10m