Internet provider

In a move to fend off the online piracy companies united to launch a set of rules to slow or restrict the Internet access to consumers found illegally downloading copyrighted films, music or TV shows.

Verizon Communications Inc, Comcast Corp, Time Warner Cable Inc, Cablevision Systems Corp and AT&T Inc agreed to alert customers, up to six times, when it appears their account is used for illegal downloading. Warnings will come as e-mails or pop-up messages.

A new report from the organization European Digital Rights (EDRI) revealed that an increasing number of European Union member states are delegating online policing to private sector companies and Internet service providers, provoking anger and concerns of the latter.

If previously it was law enforcement agencies who addressed the problem of illegal online content, now more powers are given to ISPs so that the industry would regulate itself independently. The trend is likely to be implemented widely with increasing "extra-judicial sanctions" against consumers.

U.S. judges questioned the FCC's authority to punish Comcast Corp for blocking online file-sharing services on Friday in a case that could wind up curbing the regulators' campaign for a free and open Internet.

A three-judge panel appeared unsatisfied with Federal Communications Commission arguments and was probing whether the FCC acted based on established rules or on direct authority from Congress on broadband network management issues.