Nearly 3,000 O2 customers could be getting nasty surprise in the post after porn company Golden Eye International confirmed it plans to send out letters to those who have been suspected of illegally sharing its films on the network.
In March, the High Court has ordered O2 to provide the personal details of more than 9,000 broadband customers who had been caught red-handed after illegally downloading porn films made by the company.
The 2,845 IP addresses relate to sister firm Ben Dover Productions, while the remaining two-thirds (6,279) of IP addresses are linked to other producers that Golden Eye is representing, including the imaginatively entitled Sweetmeats Productions, Easy On The Eye and Celtic Broadcasting.
Golden Eye.director Julian Becker said: “Initially we’ve just applied for the Ben Dover ones. The rest are on appeal and won’t be heard until later in the year.”
The company is waiting to receive a few last details about the 2,845 subscribers from O2 before despatching the missive, which is expected to advise customers on what steps to take to negotiate a settlement amount.
If recipients do not reply within 28 days, they could be found liable for the copyright infringement.
Meanwhile, Consumer Focus said it is working with Citizens Advice to ensure broadband subscribers are aware of their rights if they are accused of copyright infringement.
“We have also written to all the major internet service providers (ISPs) and online hosts who may be required to assist copyright owners to enforce their rights,” said Mike O’Connor, chief executive of Consumer Focus. “We are urging them to be rigorous in protecting their customers’ personal data – to help make sure the rights of consumers and copyright owners are fairly balanced.”
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