Charles Dunstone, CEO of The Carphone Warehouse Group (TalkTalk, AOL UK), has rejected calls by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for UK ISPs to introduce a voluntary "three-strikes" system to combat online software piracy.

The system threatens to disconnect customers from their ISP if they're found to be downloading illegal content (music etc.), but only after failing to heed prior warnings:


Dunstone fears that the creative industry is merely attempting to shift their problems on to somebody else and intends to defend its customers, using legal action where necessary.

Naturally Carphone does not condone piracy, but clearly disagrees with the BPI's proposal. Sadly Dunstone's position, though admirable in its defence of customers, is unlikely to do much good. The government is now pressing ISPs to adopt some form of voluntary code or risk mandatory legislation being imposed next year.

Check out our recent 'To Ban or Not to Ban (Illegal File Sharers)' article on the subject for a more detailed and easy to read summary of the problem.