The Karoo Afffair

I find the whole Karoo affair which erupted on BBC News very intriguing. The ISP had been disconnecting users accused of illegal filesharing, without warning. Karoo is the only ISP in Hull due to the lack of BT lines in the city - all the lines are owned by Kingston Communications, Karoo's parent company.

Whilst this may seem okay to some, it strikes me as being completely over the top. Access to the internet is almost a given right these days and that right should not be abused. They seem to have bowed to the pressures of the music industry and its file sharing paranoia. Karoo, though, has now bowed to peer pressure; not just from its users but from the general public of the UK. They have adopted a "three strikes" rule (three written warnings and you're out) which is in line with BT and Virgin Media.

Disconnection should only happen after the user has been taken to court and found guilty. Although I firmly believe that the music industry needs to change their attitude towards file sharing and embrace it, rather than alienating everyday consumers, but that is a whole different kettle of fish.