The RIAA today clarified that there is no hard date for the implementation of a "Copyright Alert System," but said ISPs are still on track to offer it by the end of the second quarter.

Some of the nation's top Internet service providers are on track to kick off the "Copyright Alert System," which will provide notices to consumers if their ISP suspects there is illegal downloading going on, but an exact date for launch will be up to the ISPs involved.

Many ISPs already provide warnings to users if sketchy behavior is detected, but the Copyright Alert System - - is intended to provide a standardized approach that all ISPs will use. Going forward, users will get a notice if they are suspected of illegal downloading. If they ignore that message, the ISP might resort to pop-ups or redirecting to special websites that display the alert. If those too are ignored, the ISP will turn to "mitigation measures," which could include throttling or permanent re-direction to a warning landing page until contact is established.

The system made news again this week after Cary Sherman, CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America, appeared on a panel in New York, resulting in a news story from CNET that the system would be implemented by July 12.

An RIAA spokesman today clarified that Sherman said implementation of the alert system by participating IPSs would likely begin by the "end of the second quarter," but emphasized that the timing and particular mechanics are questions each individual ISP will handle.

Participating ISPs include AT&T, Cablevision, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon. The effort also has the support of the RIAA and the Motion Picture Association of America, as well as small and independent studios and labels.

Back in July, the alliance insisted that account termination is not part of the alert system, but "section 512 of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act requires that the ISPs have in place a termination policy for repeat copyright infringers as a condition of availing themselves of the Act's 'safe harbor' provision," the group said. "This is why subscribers have a right to know if it has been alleged that content theft is taking place on their accounts, and a right to respond."

ISPs will be made aware of the illegal downloading via "a notice from a copyright holder or its representative," the group said.

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