"Music fans are increasingly tuning into legal download
sites for the choice, value and convenience they offer,”
said BPI chairman Peter Jamieson. “But we cannot let illegal
file-sharers off the hook. They are undermining the legal services,
they are damaging music and they are breaking the law."
The filing follows a court order granted in favour of the BPI in
March, requiring six UK ISPs to disclose the names
and addresses of 31 individuals alleged to have uploaded large
numbers of music files onto peer-to-peer file-sharing networks.
The BPI contacted those individuals in April and, as with
earlier rounds of litigation, managed to settle most of the
cases.
According to BPI General Counsel Geoff Taylor:
“So far 60 UK internet users have settled
legal claims against them for illegal file-sharing, paying up
to £6,500 in compensation. We have tried to agree fair settlements,
but if people refuse to deal with the evidence against them, then
the law must take its course. That's why we have had no choice but
to take these five individuals to the High Court. We will be
seeking an injunction and full damages for the losses they have
caused, in addition to the considerable legal costs we are
incurring as a result of their illegal activity."
The three men and two women live in King’s Lynn, Crawley, Port
Talbot, Brighton and South Glamorgan.
The BPI will claim compensation and costs on behalf of its
member record companies whose music has been uploaded on to
peer-to-peer networks without permission.
