Probing Internet Filters

The media conglomerates are mulling ways to curb some types of internet traffic. The goal being to cut the transfer of copyrighted data, which for lack of ingenuity, is plaguing the networks, studios, and record labels.

The NYT is reporting that AT&T, Microsoft, and NBC openly discussed this topic at the Consumer Electronics Show:

At a small panel discussion about digital piracy here at NBC’s booth on the Consumer Electronics Show floor, representatives from NBC, Microsoft, several digital filtering companies and telecom giant AT&T said the time was right to start filtering for copyrighted content at the network level.

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Network-level filtering means your Internet service provider – Comcast, AT&T, EarthLink, or whoever you send that monthly check to – could soon start sniffing your digital packets, looking for material that infringes on someone’s copyright.

Meanwhile, the FCC announced that it is looking into Comcast’s recent attempts to block internet traffic–specifically BitTorrent data–to its customers. Essentially, this is what AT&T, Microsoft, and NBC were talking about at CES, except Comcast has already put it into action.

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Federal Communications Commission will investigate complaints that Comcast Corp. actively interferes with Internet traffic as its subscribers try to share files online, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said Tuesday.

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In an investigation last year, The Associated Press found that Comcast in some cases hindered file sharing by subscribers who used BitTorrent, a popular file-sharing program. The findings, first reported Oct. 19, confirmed claims by users who also noticed interference with other file-sharing applications.

The transfer of ‘copyrighted’ material over the internet will never be halted by suing users or blocking traffic. The ratio works like this: For every 1 person you have trying to create copyright safeguards, you’ll have at least 50 working to beat it. It’s a never ending battle which the media cannot win.

There are other ways to make money from TV shows, movies, and music. For example, TV shows should be available for free download from network sites. The catch being that there are three 15-second commercial breaks. Product placement is another way to generate revenue.

Today’s media executives are so caught up in the past and they are willing to spend millions if not billions of dollars to fight the times. It’s not going to work.