INTERNET service providers such as Sky and Virgin Media have announced plans to crack down on torrent sites including Pirate Bay.

Customers found using the sites will be issued warnings saying they have just 20 days to stop downloading content illegally.

3 Internet users will be given a 20-day warning to stop illegally downloading TV, music and films online Credit: Alamy

The new warnings are part of a Government-backed initiative called the Get It Right campaign.

It aims to warn internet users about the dangers of piracy.

The campaign states: “Copyright owners are monitoring peer-to-peer (file-sharing) networks to identify instances where their content is uploaded and shared without permission.

“They will note the Internet Protocol (IP) address and then contact the appropriate ISP – including BT, NowTV, PlusNet, Sky, Talk-Talk and Virgin Media.

“The account holder may then receive an educational email from their ISP referencing one or more instances of peer-to-peer uploading and file sharing activities that have been confirmed to breach copyright.”





Virgin Media, Sky, TalkTalk and BT have all signed up to the Government campaign and have already set up web pages to explain what the warnings are for.

Sky wrote: “By sharing illegally rather than enjoying it from legitimate sources, you aren't supporting the growth and success of the content you love.

“The campaign was initiated by the creators of copyrighted material, and supported by the UK's largest internet service providers, to help people access content from genuine sites, whether it be music, films, books, sports or any other creative material.”

None of the service providers have specified what will happen to customers who continue downloading content illegally after the warning deadline.

But Sky did confirm that those who receive an “educational email” will not have their internet cancelled.

3 Users of torrent sites including Pirate Bay could be seeing their final days of illegal downloads if the Get It Right campaign works Credit: Alamy

The firm wrote: “Your broadband service won't be affected as a result of receiving this email alert.

“However, if you continue to share content illegally using your broadband connection, Sky will request that you take immediate steps to remove or disable any file-sharing software that is being used to share copyrighted content illegally.”

Virgin Media also commented on the new campaign: “Virgin Media, along with all of the other major UK internet providers, is working with the UK's creative industries through a partnership called Creative Content UK (CCUK).

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“This coalition aims to raise consumer awareness of the wide array of legitimate online content services and to help reduce online copyright infringement.

“Virgin Media and other ISPs will soon begin sending educational emails to customers who are associated with illegal file-sharing and direct them to a dedicated website with a list of genuine sources of where they, and others who use their account, can legally access movies, music, TV shows, books, newspapers, games and sports.

“Emails sent by ISPs will be purely educational and no customer details will be shared with rights holders, government or other third parties.”

3 Internet Service Providers are yet to reveal what will happen to users who defy the 20-day ultimatum Credit: Alamy

Despite increased crackdowns on dodgy online activities, more people than ever are using torrent sites such as Pirate Bay to download illegal content.

Previous attempts to stop internet users downloading illegally have involved ISPs blocking access to torrent sites.

This largely failed thanks to tools including proxies and VPNs, which allow users to bypass blocks.

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