Warning letters from broadband ISPs is not enough to stop illegal file sharers from doing what they are doing.
Research done by paidContent:UK found that only 33% of illegal downloaders and file sharers would stop after receiving a single warning letter about their activity. However, a serious threat of disconnection from their broadband provider after receiving three warnings would however be enough to deter around 80% though.
Last year the report found that 70% said they would stop the activity if they received one warning letter, the reason in the huge reduction is because the question posed to respondents were worded differently.
This year those who were queried were asked about receiving a warning letter with no serious threat in it, last year it is thought that respondents assumed that further serious action would be taken although this was not put in the letter.
Currently it is the “Three Strikes” policy that has been talked most about, giving users three times being caught illegal downloading or file sharing before their broadband is cut off although policing it could be hard with users able to disguise their traffic or share in different ways.