Virgin To Rap Torrent Users On The Knuckles

Following up on recent movements in the broadband arena, including the abolition of DRM for music downloads and the clearing up of actual line speeds , is an announcement from Virgin Mobile that it's going all vigilante on our good selves.The ability of P2P software like Bittorrent to offer illegal downloads of all kinds of digital media is old news now, and we'd be surprised if the majority of readers haven't at least given it a try.

There have been plenty of movements in the past from ISPs and industry associations to curb its popularity, and Virgin is the latest to have a go.

Forming a partnership with BPI, who represented the UK recorded music industry, Virgin Media customers will now be monitored for torrent activity as part of a new campaign. Consumers seen to breach copyright will receive warnings from both Virgin and BPI, though it's yet unclear as to exactly what further action will be taken.

Six and a half million broadband users access content in this way, and BPI reckons some customers will not even be aware that it's being done.