Google Fiber customers are getting fined for alleged piracy

While mist ISPs prefer to just warn their customers that they’re connections are being used to share copyright infringing material, Google is taking things a step further for Google Fiber customers that have allegedly pirated copyrighted content by including a fine with the notice. The fines can go anywhere from $20 to $300, and are completely automated. 

Every month Google receives dozens of millions of DMCA takedown requests from copyright holders, most of which are directed at its search engine. However, with Google Fiber being rolled out in more cities, notices targeting allegedly pirating Internet subscribers are becoming more common as well. These include regular takedown notices but also the more controversial settlement demands sent by companies such as Rightscorp and CEG TEK. Instead of merely alerting subscribers that their connections have been used to share copyright infringing material, these notices serve as automated fines, offering subscribers settlements ranging from $20 to $300. The scheme uses the standard DMCA takedown process which means that the copyright holder doesn’t have to go to court or even know who the recipient is. In fact, the affected subscriber is often not the person who shared the pirated file. To protect customers against these practices many ISPs including Comcast, Verizon and AT&T have chosen not to forward settlement demands. However, information received by TF shows that Google does take part.