The computer games industry has launched an unprecedented assault on illegal downloads, demanding payment from thousands of families who obtained the latest releases over the Internet without paying. Five of the world’s top game developers will serve notice on 25,000 people across the UK, requiring each one to pay 300 pounds (about 550 U.S. dollars) to settle out of court. Those who refuse risk being taken to court. The companies will target their initial legal actions on 500 people who ignore the letters. The companies involved are Atari, Topware Interactive, Reality Pump, Techland and Codemasters.

Times Online says it’s estimated that as many as six million people in Britain share games illegally over the Internet. The aggressive action marks a dramatic change in the approach to copyright on the Internet. The British music industry, hit hard by illegal file sharing, has taken action against just 150 people in ten years. This week, an unemployed mother of two became the first person in the UK to be ordered to pay damages to a manufacturer. She must pay more than 16,000 pounds (about 29,700 U.S. dollars) to Topware after downloading Dream Pinball through a file sharing site.

A partner at the law firm representing the game makers said, “Our clients were incensed by the level of illegal downloading. In the first 14 days since Topware Interactive released Dream Pinball 3D, it sold 800 legitimate copies but was illegally downloaded 12,000 times. Hopefully, people will think twice if they risk being taken to court.” According to Peerland, which monitors games downloaded on three file sharing websites, Operation Flashpoint was downloaded 691,324 times in one week. The most popular game was Battlefield 1942, which was accessed by almost 1.5 million people in seven days.

The law firm is applying to the High Court for an order requiring Internet service providers to hand over the names and addresses of 25,000 individuals suspected of illegally downloading computer games. They have already obtained almost 5,000 addresses after providing evidence that illegal file sharing had taken place.

Source: Times Online