Virgin will not disconnect pirate downloaders

Virgin Media has pledged that it will not disconnect customers who are found to be illegally sharing music, video or software files.

Speaking at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia conference, Virgin CEO Neil Berkett said there is no legal basis to cut off users sharing copyrighted files, and the company would therefore not disconnect these customers.

Berkett added that the responsibility for dealing with piracy rests solely with the copyright holder, whilst stressing that Virgin Media does have an interest in music rights.

Earlier this year, the company signed up to a voluntary scheme under which they agreed to notify customers who have downloaded files illegally.

Using Virgin Media’s fastest 20Mbps broadband, users can download a music track in just two seconds.