Dear Internet Access Subscriber: Charter Communications ("Charter") has been notified by a copyright owner that your Internet account has been involved in the exchange of unauthorized copies of copyrighted material (music, movies, or software). We are enclosing a copy of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) notice that Charter received from the copyright holder. It is possible that this activity has occurred without your permission or knowledge by an unauthorized user, a minor who may not fully understand the copyright laws, or even as a result of a computer virus. However, as a Charter Internet account owner, you can be held liable for this activity. As a personal computer owner and a user of the Internet, we ask that you be aware of the following: Violations of federal Copyright law can result in civil and/or criminal liability, including payment of monetary damages, costs and attorneys' fees to the copyright owner. See 17 U.S.C. §§ 504-506. In addition, Charter's Acceptable Use Policy explicitly prohibits copyright infringement by Charter High-Speed Internet users. Specifically, Section 3 states: NO COPYRIGHT OR TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENTCustomer will not use, or allow others to use, the Service to send or receive, or otherwise use any information which infringes the patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets or proprietary rights of any other person or entity. This includes, but is not limited to, digitization of music, movies, photographs or other copyrighted materials or software. Customer must obtain appropriate authorization from such other person or entity prior to sending, receiving or using such materials. Customer represents and warrants that Customer is the author and copyright owner and/or authorized licensee with respect to any hosted content and Customer further represents and warrants that no hosted content violates the trademark, copyright, domain name or intellectual property rights of any third party. Charter assumes no responsibility, and Customer assumes all risks regarding the determination of whether material is in the public domain, or may otherwise be used for such purposes. Charter is registered under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA). Under the DMCA, copyright owners have the right to notify Charter if they believe that a Charter customer has infringed the copyright owner’s work(s). If Charter receives a notice from a copyright owner alleging any Customer has committed copyright infringement, Charter will notify the Customer of the alleged infringement. Charter may determine that Customer is a repeat copyright infringer if Charter learns that Customer has engaged in online copyright infringement on more than one occasion. Charter reserves the right to suspend or terminate the accounts of repeat copyright infringers. We ask that you take immediate action to remove the infringing material from your computer and stop its exchange. If Charter continues to receive DMCA notices regarding your account, or if you violate any other clause of Charter's Acceptable Use Policy, we will have no choice but to terminate your account. You may view Charter's rules and policies at http://www.charter.com/site/policies.aspx. If you need assistance in removing the referenced infringing material, please refer to the Security Center at http://www.charter.com. If you have any questions about this matter, please contact us at 1-866-229-7286. Representatives will be available to take your call Monday through Friday 8am - 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8am - 5pm (CST). Sincerely, Charter High-Speed Internet Security Team
Wow. They are willing to lose paying customers in order to satisfy someone else. Guess it's time to look for someone else to subscribe to.
No kidding, and thats exaclty what I did. I cancelled, not because of the letter, but because the suspended my service. I called because I couldn't connect, and when I got an agent, they told me that I was disconnected because of the downloading, but it was a warning... So, I told her to go ahead and just keep it disconnected, then she (lol), wanted to know why I was unhappy! and what can she do to change my mind! then F#(#( nerve!!! lets see when we start taking canceling if those companies will support their bills
What "exchange of unauthorized copies of copyrighted material (music, movies, or software)." .. that's too vague and wouldn't stand up in court.. It's like saying "you stole something unknown.. so somebody or other says.. we have no evidence other than hearsay that this has happened but we are going to punish you without due process on no more than the accusation of some person or business which will not identify itself to you" good work canceling.. I would also try for compensation for slander/libel and unlawful penalty without due process. Because I'm a real s--- and I know a bit about law...
