Leaving the piracy issue aside, what gives internet service providers the right to selectively filter content and manipulate speeds based on that? It's just as bad as the government's notorious internet filter, which it thankfully backed away from in November last year.

Telstra has stated that the trial aims to better manage the traffic on its ADSL network, which has grown – Telstra claims – due to increased demand for 'real time entertainment'.

What we can deduce from this is that rather than invest in infrastructural upgrades to their network, Telstra will attempt to decrease the quality of internet access for customers who choose not to splash out on Telstra's own entertainment offerings via BigPond and T-Box in favour of those who do. Never mind the fact that all of these people are paying customers.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has expressed concern and says it will investigate if a telco was found to be prioritising its own services.

But what if Telstra isn't necessarily prioritising its own services, what if it's just trying to play internet police?