BPI is still blocking sites, despite the fact that it does nothing

The British Phonographic Industry is continuing to parade its abilities for the world to see, showing that its number one talent, the singular thing it does better than almost any middle manager from Office Space, is appear to be doing something while systematically doing nothing at all. The group, sponsored and funded by some of the world's biggest media conglomerates in the world, has announced a new wave of website blocks of torrent search sites – despite the fact that the ones it already has in place, do almost nothing to hinder traffic.

The BPI famously sought out the blocking of the world's most well known torrent site, The Pirate Bay, last year. The court ordered, ISP implemented block did nothing to halt traffic and in-fact, the media attention surrounding the story led to a huge increase in user numbers. Since then the group, headed by Geoff Taylor, has pushed for more blocks, getting them every time and now he's gunning for more.

Yea… I'm gonna have to go ahead and ask you to, stop blocking websites ineffectually, mmkay? That'd be greaaaat.

The list of sites being targeted this time, is extensive. It includes:

• 1337x
• BitSnoop
• ExtraTorrent
• TorrentReactor
• Torrenthound
• Torrentz
• Filestube
• Grooveshark
• BeeMP3
• Dislandau
• MP3Juices
• MP3lemon
• MP3raid
• MP3skull
• Abmp3
• Bomb-mp3
• Emp3world
• Newalbumreleases

Currently the BPI is at the stage where it's simply asking music licensing group, PPL, if it has granted licensed to these sites to provide links to copyright protected music. Obviously this is a formality and it won't take long for it to receive a response.

A spokesperson for the BPI suggested the following in its communication to the PPL (via TorrentFreak): “Over the past years, UK music labels have innovated to build one of the most vibrant digital music sectors in the world. However, the growth of digital music in the UK is held back by a raft of illegal businesses commercially exploiting music without a licence from the copyright holders.” [yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZUSn7I-zNo']

Dan Bull said it best along with a raft of other artists in “Bye Bye BPI”, where it was made clear, that many, many artists aren't held back by torrents and other free downloads, often times they're helped by it. It's the labels that are struggling in the new climate of music sharing where artists don't need that middle management. They can simply connect directly to the fans.

KitGuru Says: While it's always a good idea to support artists you like by buying their work, freely distributing it is a great way to get new fans. The BPI has zero understanding of this and is just trying to justify its sponsored funding by looking busy. 

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