A new voluntary system aimed at rooting out online copyright piracy using a controversial “six strikes” system is set to be implemented by US Internet providers soon, with the impact unclear.
The programme was created with the music and film industry and the largest Internet firms, with some prodding by US government.
The system had been set to take effect late last year but was delayed until early 2013 by the Center for Copyright Information, the entity created to manage the programme.
Even though the program became known as “six strikes,” backers say the name is misleading and that it is not aimed at cutting off Internet access for people downloading pirated films or music.
The center’s director Jill Lesser said the program is not “punitive.”
“We believe a voluntary, flexible programme will be the best way to address this, and we think consumers will respond to it,” she told AFP.