http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-11467347BT is seeking a moratorium on legal applications to obtain details of its customers who are alleged to have illegally shared files online. The firm outlined its stance following a high-profile data breach at London law firm ACS:Law last week.
The leak saw thousands of customers' details from various ISPs - including BT-owned PlusNet - published online. BT said that it wanted a temporary halt on all new and existing applications until a "test case" could be heard.
The case involves lawyers from law firm Gallant Macmillan, who are seeking a court order to obtain the names and addresses of a "large number" of broadband users from PlusNet, BSkyB and Be Internet suspected of illegally downloading and sharing music from the nightclub and record label Ministry of Sound.
BSKyB were not represented at today's hearing.
Lawyers from Gallant Macmillan distanced themselves from ACS:Law and the data breaches. They said they intended to press ahead with their "legitimate attempts to enforce the legitimate rights" of the Ministry of Sound against alleged file-sharers.
A representative of the firm told the hearing that it "fully intends to litigate" against alleged file-sharers if it is granted the court order forcing BT and other ISPs to hand over the details of their customers.
It also asked for some details of the January case to be conducted in private to protect details of the security measures used to protect customer details, and because any revelations would "only give traction to the kind of attacks recently seen [on ACS:Law]".
Over the weekend, the website of the Ministry of Sound was taken offline.
"Gallant Macmillan ...... asked for some details of the January case to be conducted in private to protect details of the security measures used to protect customer details"It couldn't be that they want parts of the case in private to protect the weakness of their case from public scrutiny?
Addendum-
Here is some additional reading for those that want it. Be warned it can be heavy going.
http://tinyurl.com/2vnvp6r
