Virgin Media to Launch World's First Unlimited Music Download Service - Page 3

BenMcr · 15-06-2009, 15:29

As it has yet to launch I'm sure all the technical questions will be answered later on

As for monitoring and suspention I suggest people read this http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009...rter-broadband and realise it isn't just Virgin that are going to do it

GazCBG · 15-06-2009, 15:33

If it is an affordable subscription I may sign up to it.

Bonglet · 15-06-2009, 15:33

Hastily prepared document by ex-ntl cable man to boost media companies profits shock report at news at 10 tommorow night :P.

clinteastman · 15-06-2009, 15:35

http://www.techradar.com/news/intern...ic-deal-608374

Some nice nugets in there, like:

Quote:

I heard that even accessing a pirate website would mean that my Virgin Media account is cut-off, suspended or slowed down, is this true? What are the punishments?

Virgin Media has told TechRadar that this is not the case. As the press release says: "No customers will be permanently disconnected and the process will not depend on network monitoring or interception of customer traffic by Virgin Media." As far as we can gather; what this means in practicality is that Universal and/or the other potential partners will monitor P2P traffic in exactly the same way as the BPI does now â€“ alert Virgin Media if one of its files is being shared by a Virgin Media customer and VM will then respond.

Our understanding is that the 'punishment' will start small (probably a warning letter) and then be cranked up a notch for each repeat offence until, as Virgin says: "[the repercussions] include, as a last resort for persistent offenders, a temporary suspension of internet access."

BenMcr · 15-06-2009, 15:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonglet

Hastily prepared document by ex-ntl cable man to boost media companies profits shock report at news at 10 tommorow night :P.

Why is everyone so bloody cynical? As for hastily prepared, as I linked earlier Virgin have been trying to for something like this since last year

murfitUK · 15-06-2009, 15:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

Where does it say that?

In the financial section of the Guardian. Says that users of the 50MB service should get the unlimited downloads as past of their package but other users will have to pay "no more than the cost of a couple of CD albums" extra each month.

Also says that users signing up will have to accept that VM will block their access to file-sharing sites.

Bonglet · 15-06-2009, 15:57

Looks like virgins going down the pan then, use our services or get panned even though your paying our mega XXXLXXLLL price and now cant do anything with it as we block your downloads or suspend you.
Now pay some more please our power supplies need replacing up and down the country (btw we'll also data rape your connection just to monetise you the customer too).
People just wont pay for XXX speed they can never use.

In all seriousness though the government is totaly dumb, they are quick to bail out fat cat bankers for no real return to the people, yet cant provide any resources to develop our broadband to a world class speed.
Now you have an ex media company boss publishing a report that gives media companies free reign to do what they like to milk people to pay for it.

really lol you cant make this stuff up tbh.

clinteastman · 15-06-2009, 16:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by murfitUK

In the financial section of the Guardian. Says that users of the 50MB service should get the unlimited downloads as past of their package but other users will have to pay "no more than the cost of a couple of CD albums" extra each month.

Also says that users signing up will have to accept that VM will block their access to file-sharing sites.

Got a link for that?

A piece on the BBC about it:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8100394.stm

BenMcr · 15-06-2009, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonglet

really lol you cant make this stuff up tbh.

judging by that last post of yours - yes you can

Bonglet · 15-06-2009, 16:30

Which part did i get wrong then?

BenMcr · 15-06-2009, 16:41

Well

1) Virgin will not and do not block or suspend the service for legal downloads. What they are talking about in connection with this, as far I read it, is that if a download is verified as being illegal obtained then a notice would be given to cease doing so. If it continued then further action would be taken - which may involve temporary suspension of services

2)Any costs of maintenance is already covered by the subscription fee.

3)Please can you link to a confirmed plan for virgin to 'data mine' anyones connection

4)As for the 'free reign' I'm pretty sure what they are talking about is trying to identify those people that illegally download content. You seem quite upset that a company like Phorm could possible be breaking the law with their technology, but seem fine with people actually breaking the law by downloading stuff they haven't paid for

**Chris** · 15-06-2009, 16:53

Have a look at this:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technolog...one_blink.html

Virgin isn't going to do anything new to detect illegal downloaders. It will continue to rely on the rights holders sending it lists of IP addresses that have been observed in torrent swarms. However, instead of simply sending out warning letters, as it has previously, it will now deploy an escalating range of sanctions against people whose IP repeatedly appears on the lists it receives. The maximum sanction will be temporary suspension of service.

This is all very unsatisfactory seeing as it is now well established that a claim of 'we got your IP' really doesn't prove anything.

Sir John Luke · 15-06-2009, 17:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr

3)Please can you link to a confirmed plan for virgin to 'data mine' anyones connection

"RNS Number : 1994R Phorm Inc 27 April 2009

Phorm, Inc. ("Phorm" or the "Company") Apology from "New Media Age" Magazine

On Thursday 23rd April New Media Age published a factually incorrect article titled "Virgin Media steps away from Phorm as top sites opt out".

At 17.30 on Friday 24th April New Media Age published an apology, which reads: In nma (23 April), we published an article headlined "Virgin Media steps away from Phorm as top sites opt out".

The article incorrectly stated that Virgin Media was seeking alternatives and to distance itself from Phorm and wouldn't be proceeding with the contract it had entered into with the company.

We now accept that this is wrong and that Phorm's relationship with Virgin Media is unchanged. We have been asked to make clear that BT's contract with the company remains in place and its relationship with Phorm is unchanged. We are happy to set the record straight.

"

Barton71 · 15-06-2009, 17:05

I would gladly pay extra to my VM internet bill if i could play the MP3's on any device i choose, and if i could burn the tracks to a CD. From what i have read so far, it seems we probably will be able to do that.

The questions is, how much am i willing to pay? I am not prepared to pay more than Â£5-Â£10 per month for the service. Music isn't worth more than that. If they are talking about Â£15-Â£20, then they can ram their service right up their down pipe.

Streaming tracks with adverts, a-la Spotify, and downloading unlimited track for Â£5-Â£10 per month, seems fair and reasonable to me. For about the past 5 years, i have spent about Â£0 or there abouts on music. The music industry could have Â£120/year off of me, and all they need to do, is set a fair price (and ask me nicely).

BenMcr · 15-06-2009, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sir John Luke

"We now accept that this is wrong and that Phorm's relationship with Virgin Media is unchanged.

That seems to be an apology to Phorm after they made a complaint

And Virgin Media's relationship with Phorm is clearly laid out here http://www.virginmedia.com/customers/webwise.php

Virgin Media has signed a preliminary agreement with Phorm to understand in more detail how this technology works but we have not yet decided if it will be introduced

So again I ask for a link where to has a confirmed plan for 'data mining'