Tokyo - Japan's Yomiuri Shimbun reports that four major ISP groups in the country have agreed to partner with copyright groups to develop a protocol for closing the accounts of subscribers who repeatedly engage in illegal file-sharing.

The report singles out Winny, a popular peer-to-peer service in Japan that claims around 1.75 million users, but references "other file-sharing programs (used) to illegally copy gaming software and music."

Nearly 1,000 ISPs, including those represented by the Telecom Service Association, Telecommunications Carriers Association and two other groups, have said they will set up an advisory panel next month with Japanese copyright groups including JASRAC and the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).

The panel will work out the details on how to detect users that are engaged in illegal file-sharing, and what protocol to use in sending warnings and shutting off service to repeat offenders.

The move in Japan follows similar actions taken in France, where such a policy was recently enacted, and Britain, which is still considering a proposal.

Related Links:
http://www.varietyasiaonline.com/content/view/5690/1/

http://www.news.com/8301-10787_3-9894891-60.html

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy

http://www.jasrac.or.jp/ejhp/index.htm

http://www.riaj.or.jp/e/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winny