ISPs begin block of KickassTorrents, H33T and Fenopy

The blockade of a fresh batch of file sharing websites has begun, with the major ISPs in the UK blocking their customers from accessing Fenopy, Kickasstorrents and H33T. Of course this won't stop 99 per cent of visitors who already have ways around the blocks thanks to a plethora of proxies and VPN services.

These blocks are also only applicable to the top six ISPs in the UK at the moment, which includes: BT, Sky, Virgin Media, O2, EE and TalkTalk. This means those of us on other providers, like Plus.net for example, can access these sites as normal. So if you wanted to make a statement, transferring your business to one of those might not be a bad plan.

The reason for these new blocks is because the High Court considers them as profiteers of illegal copyright infringement. Many file sharers may contest that idea, considering it is they they that are downloading the files and infringing copyright. Claiming a website that links you to places where copyright infringement occurs is infringing, is like claiming sat navs are responsible for drug deals because they help buyers and sellers find each other.

But that aside, the BPI was behind this latest series of blocks as it was with the original Pirate Bay one, which are working about as effectively as you might expect considering the user base is dominated by those that know their way around computers.

TorrentFreak has an apt quote from the admin of H33T, who said recently: “Attacking H33T is an attack on sharers, that is the real BPI agenda. The BPI and their MAFIAA masters are playing for control of consumption of digital media in the UK. Independent networks of people freely sharing content is a challenge to their broken business model.”

On top of this though, the blockades also hinder artists that distribute through these channels. Nerd rapper Dan Bull famously pooled the talents of many musicians to point out that none of them want to be or consider themselves to be, represented by the BPI. [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZUSn7I-zNo']

KitGuru Says: We've seen it time and time again with these blocks. They don't work. They don't inhibit traffic, they don't stop people downloading. But even if they did, considering the fact that music downloaders buy the most music and that there's a positive corelation between music sales and music piracy, it would be hurting the business.

The BPI and other groups know this though, they simply want to be seen to be doing something. That keeps their sponsors happy and their coffers filled. Roll on self interest at everyone else's expense.

Thumb source: Itsdanbull – the flattened face of anti-BPI lobbyists

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