Have you been downloading illegally? Expect a letter in the post

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Internet providers wear a toothless smile

Have you been downloading illegally? A letter is on its way
This letter's kind of a beal deal. Honest. Sort of

If you've been downloading copyrighted content then you'll receive a letter telling you just how naughty you've been.

After four years of negotiations, Sky, BT, TalkTalk and Virgin Media have all signed an agreement with representatives of the British film and music industries to push back against the pirates.

But all that ISPs will be doing is firing out "educational" letters to anyone believed to be downloading content illegally, starting in 2015.

Yeah you'd BETTER be scared

Rights holders wanted tougher measure, but embattled lobby groups diluted the initiative down so much that all people will be getting is a letter "promoting an increase in awareness" of legal alternatives.

As un-terrifying as that sounds, there could be a more significant long-term plan here. But for now, all you've got to worry about is an extra piece of mail to chuck away.

Via BBC

Hugh Langley
Hugh Langley

Hugh Langley is the ex-News Editor of TechRadar. He had written for many magazines and websites including Business Insider, The Telegraph, IGN, Gizmodo, Entrepreneur Magazine, WIRED (UK), TrustedReviews, Business Insider Australia, Business Insider India, Business Insider Singapore, Wareable, The Ambient and more.

Hugh is now a correspondent at Business Insider covering Google and Alphabet, and has the unfortunate distinction of accidentally linking the TechRadar homepage to a rival publication.