"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.
