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Comcast gets sued for blocking BitTorrent traffic

Written by Dave Horvath @ 15 Nov 2007 12:41 User comments (26)

Comcast gets sued for blocking BitTorrent traffic A California man has filed suit against the cable giant Comcast claiming that they have engaged in unfair business practices by limiting download speeds for peer-to-peer traffic across their networks.
Jon Hart bases his lawsuit on an investigation by the Associated Press that reported, "Comcast actively interferes with attempts some high-speed Internet subscribers (make) to share files online." Additionally, he brought up claims by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a radical activist group that rallies against things from DRM to anti-piracy movements, of Comcast engaging in practices similar to that of the Chinese government censoring the Internet.

A PDF of the lawsuit is available for viewing.

Hart argues that Comcast's own marketing states lightning fast speeds and unfettered access to all the Internet has to offer. He claims that they have not lived up to their part of their own marketing by intentionally throttling "certain Internet applications" that he regularly uses.



The lawsuit seeks class action status and brings up the fact that Comcast's actions, in light of its marketing claims, constitute an unfair and fraudulent business practice under California consumer laws.

In a statement, Comcast replied with, "We never prevent peer-to-peer activity or Block access to any peer-to-peer applications, but rather manage the network in such a way that this activity does not degrade the broadband experience for other users."

Source:
PC World

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26 user comments

115.11.2007 12:50

I hope he wins and wins big. They deserve to have a chunk of their crack ripped off. They are cocky over charging and with poor service 70% of the time and for them to block people thats already paying twice or triple times the amount of normal companies they need stuff like this to come up. I hope to see more people dig in Comcasts butt!!

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 15 Nov 2007 @ 12:51

215.11.2007 13:09

HA! SCORE LITTLE GUY! BAM TO THE BIG GIANT HAHA!

315.11.2007 13:22

And all David had against Goliath were three stones...

and Goliath promptly had his ass handed to him, and after that, he lost his head.

415.11.2007 13:48

Whatever to the last comment. Comcast will probably lose this and GOD willing, I hope they do lose. It's been my wish that Bush does one thing right before leaving orifice and that's shutting this crap company down. They are the highest price cable company in the U.S. HANDS DOWN and without dispute. They fraudulent and misinform AND disinform regularly. Worst rated customer service and will lie and tell you whatever they think you want to hear to get you off phone. They subcontract out to Canada and Mexico which is horrible because simply put............American owned businesses have no business doing that. Spanish speaking don't understand and the Indians understand even less.

To prove Comcast's fraudulence............Maybe people will remember when Comcast first offered the 33.00 dollars for phone, internet or cable. Well, the FCC got on them for making that stupid commercial after receiving oodles of complaints when customers took them up on the offer and then Comcast telling them that it only applies when ALL 3 are purchased. The commercial did not specify that and I prepared to file a class-action against them. A month later they corrected that commercial and now it's scattered-ass all over it with "when you buy all 3". They're shady, expensive and one of this country's worst companies..........about to be deregulated by the FCC HA. If you honestly think Comcast is great as a company then you should be exiled and NEVER placed behind the big red button that decides the fate of the world.

515.11.2007 13:57

Originally posted by tester22:
Whatever to the last comment.
Maybe you are unable to appreciate a good metaphor for tyranny vs. the little guy, so I'll explain it so that even a simpleton like you can understand it.

Goliath = Comcast

David = Guy who is suing the "Giant"

See?

Now maybe you can mature intellectually and join the rest of us in an intelligent discussion.

615.11.2007 14:39

I hope this will force better plan rates more plan diversity,lower prices and truth in what you get.

715.11.2007 15:16

Quote:
Now maybe you can mature intellectually and join the rest of us in an intelligent discussion.
..."intelligent discussion?" So far, this is merely opinions and stating the obvious. And now for my opinion: good. After everything I have heard about comcast, they need a lawsuit to either realize they are over charging for crap service or to clear their name if they truly aren't hindering service. I doubt it will be the latter though.

815.11.2007 15:22

Originally posted by ZippyDSM:
I hope this will force better plan rates more plan diversity,lower prices and truth in what you get.

Zippy, I hope you're right. If Comcast loses this battle, we as customers are all winners!

915.11.2007 15:30

If this guy wins this will open up the flood gates in which comcast will be on their heels trying to figure out how to hush this situation. They need to release their strangle hold on a lot of things. Like i live in PA and we cant see any 76ers games because unless your willing to spend money on their crappy service its blocked to all over companies in PA which is crappy. If they said its blocked to other states ok thats fine but to people within your state is stupid.

1015.11.2007 15:37

Quote:
Originally posted by ZippyDSM:
I hope this will force better plan rates more plan diversity,lower prices and truth in what you get.

Zippy, I hope you're right. If Comcast loses this battle, we as customers are all winners!
ISP's across the board tend to double charge for their services, by creating more plans by forcing speed limits to accounts is a good way to improve over all service.

I am paying 60 a month for 200KBS DSL its not great its not bad,it is a rual co op so I can see the ened for it, but its this or dailup here they could offer a 30$ plan for 60 down 25 up innovate prices and services and you will get more costumers!

1115.11.2007 15:52

It's good to see one of us "little people" stand up to Comcast. Props to him and i hope to see him win that lawsuit.

1215.11.2007 16:51
OzMick
Inactive

I hope he hasn't been using his "certain Internet applications" to download anything illegally, or else it might be a bittersweet victory if Comcast decides to hand over any logs they may have of his to the relevant authorities when they lose. This is probably something that would be better dealt with outside of court for all involved parties...

1315.11.2007 16:55

LMAO! "Electronic Frontier Foundation, a radical activist group"

If the EFF is a "Radical Activist Group" then leaders of the American Civil Liberties Union should all be in jail for running an Anti-American Terrorist organization.

EFF = Civil Liberties, ACLU = Radical Activists

I just love how news is distorted and twisted by the media.

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 15 Nov 2007 @ 4:58

1415.11.2007 17:05
morguex
Inactive

Just a thought here, But If this guy is downloading any illegal material from these P2P sites. He better stop, I don't think it would take much for comcast to monitor him for a few days and turn this evidence over to the authorites. I'm not wishing this on him, But I would tread lightly if I was him.

to windsong, Go easy I don't think there's any need for the insults.

Peace all

This message has been edited since its posting. Latest edit was made on 15 Nov 2007 @ 5:20

1515.11.2007 17:17

They can't turn his information over to the Feds unless they approach him with a court order. If they did this they would have another law suit and lose lots of customers.

1615.11.2007 17:24
morguex
Inactive

Your right Duke8888, But a anonymous tip is all it would take.
Like I said it was just a thought.

1715.11.2007 17:28

I was told by a Comcast Supervisor in the Internet Trouble department that they do not support any P2P or downloading movies or music and that it was my problem, not theirs, that my connection is so bad.

I further explained that I do not use P2P nor do I download movies. She went on to repeat the above over and over. I pay for an 8mb connection and at any time and day I can test my connection and I will never pull above 1.5 mb. My upload speed it always faster than my Download speed. You should see the Ping traces I get from Neotrace LoL. 30+ hopes for Google website and I hit servers that take over 70+ ms response!

But as this lawsuit states, Comcast does say in their advertisements and commercials that they offer blazing speeds for downloading movies or music or games from the Internet. But when it comes to a bad connection all they want is your money in the end.

If I could get in on this suit I would!

1815.11.2007 17:31

I'm glad to see someone else step up to this horrible and outrageous media company. These guys really need to see that blocking P2P and torrent traffic is just going to make people leave or fight back. I mean, we're practically about to begin a fu**ing French revolution with these tyrants.

1915.11.2007 19:33

If this dude is caught showing he downloaded movies and music with the torrents, (which he most likely has), hes gonna shoot himself in the foot.

2015.11.2007 21:22
cousinkix
Inactive

Quote:
Additionally, he brought up claims by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a radical activist group that rallies against things from DRM to anti-piracy movements.
This organization was founded by John Perry Barlow of the GRATEFUL DEAD! Why would a song writer condone piracy of his own music for profit by thieves on line? He doesn't. PC World doesn't know what a radical organization is either...

2116.11.2007 08:04
ali2007
Inactive

go get them , it is time they disable their bad practices ,because when they offer their internet ,they don't say offer we might slow down your services so we can provide enough bandwidth to support other user, instead they say their internet is speedy and never slows down.

why do you advertize false information in tv ,and not the real deal

i think the man is going to win this.

2216.11.2007 12:11

I knew what you meant "metaphorically" Windsong. And they don't get too much more 'intellectual' than I so pipe down before I make you look worse than your parents already did.

What I didn't appreciate was you half-brained and negative comment stating that "David" (or the little guy) has no stand against "Goliath" (or the giant). If that is NOT what you meant then maybe the simpleton is you with a sheer inability to communicate your thoughts effectively. Now PUT A SOCK IN IT or have a seat so people can't hear you speak.

2316.11.2007 15:11
morguex
Inactive

Is it just me or do I sense bad blood brewing?

2416.11.2007 15:53

Originally posted by morguex:
Is it just me or do I sense bad blood brewing?
No no, not just you.

253.12.2007 00:44

this is good hopefully he will win and set a precident for everyone else.

263.12.2007 02:49

tester22
mew thinks....and I know...what a shock...but.....mew thinks....someone takes net seriously .....

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