Jazzeast

The Canadian Recording Industry Association has begun what promises to be a lengthy battle against online music sharing and the first obstacle may be the hardest to clear.

Several Internet service providers have been asked by the CRIA to give them the contact information of customers that they suspect of “egregious” uploading of music files.

One of several Internet service providers Calgary-based Shaw Communications, cites new federal laws that protect its clients and it intends to oppose the CRIA.

President Peter Bissonnette of Shaw Communications said “"Our customers' right to privacy is very dear to us".

Working on behalf of major record labels, 29 Canadian customers from at least five different ISPs such as Telus Corp., Bell Canada’s Sympatico service, Shaw, Rogers Cable, and Quebec Videotron were to be hunted by the CRIA.

Executive Vice-President Luc Lavoie said "We've got to fight (file sharing) with all our energy so we will obey court orders -- and we will co-operate as much as we can and we enthusiastically support what the CRIA is doing".

The lead of the Recording Industry Association of America is followed by CRIA, in which it has sued in the United States some 400 individuals. The recording industry is not targeting computer users who download songs but rather those who upload musical files.

Adrian, a Web surfer said, "I don't see it as stealing, I don't see it as doing something wrong".

According to the industry, they won’t stop until they were able to punish Canadian music pirates and that it is just the first wave of suits and more are coming.