[quote]Comcast reserves the right to suspend or terminate Service accounts where bandwidth consumption is not characteristic of a typical residential user of the Service as determined by the company in its sole discretion. Common activities that may cause excessive bandwidth consumption in violation of this Policy include, but are not limited to, numerous or continuous bulk transfers of files and other high capacity traffic using (i) file transfer protocol (”FTP”), (ii) peer-to-peer applications, and (iii) newsgroups, whether provided by Comcast or a third party. You must also ensure that your use of the Service does not restrict, inhibit, interfere with, or degrade any other person’s use of the Service, nor represent (as determined by Comcast in its sole discretion) an overly large burden on the network. In addition, you must ensure that your use of the Service does not limit or interfere with Comcast’s ability to deliver and monitor the Service or any part of its network.[/quote]

Referring to its prohibition to

[quote]upload, post, publish, transmit, reproduce, create derivative works of, or distribute in any way information, software or other material obtained through the Service or otherwise that is protected by copyright or other proprietary right, without obtaining permission of the owner;[/quote]

So as much as i’d like to see them sued, it looks tricky.

http://mashable.com/2008/01/08/fcc-may-fine-comcast-up-to-177-trillion/

It’s useful for other reasons too so I don’t mind the extra $15 a month on my budget.

Just watching a movie like sicko(which is just a tiny fraction of the greedy, heartless, and dictatorship’esk bullshit going on this country) makes you realize this country is soon to be run by corporations, if it isnt already.

Sadly, this guy doesnt stand a chance. You cant even depend on justice being served in this country anymore. You know the judges will be paid off in some slimy way, and freedom as you know it.. will soon be dead. Were fucked guys.. seriously fucked.. Im movin to canada. Fuck all this shit. America has turned into “me, me, me and my shit” You see it on the highways, You see it when You see everywhere around here. Its everywhere. It’s fuckin sad! Nobody cares about anybody but themseleves in this day and age. And how can you blame them when your government keeps people demoralized and scarred out of their minds.

We should be called Scamerica! Cause thats what its turned into! everyone scamming everyone else, and then lying about it! Just like Comcast!

I disagree. Suppose they disabled HTTP instead? Or maybe just FTP? These are ALL designed to transfer files. Customers have certain expectations when they pay for service, and those expectations clearly aren’t being met.

They promised that “Comcast does not, has not, and will not block any…online applications”, in direct response to questions about Bittorrent. It sounds like they are committing fraud. There are 1) material false statements that they offer ‘unfettered access to all the internet has to offer’, 2) customers who relied on these statements when buying service, and 3) actual damages. That would certainly expose them to civil liability.

As for the “$195,000 for all the customers who are affected”, Free Press and Public Knowledge are asking the FCC to fine Comcast $195,000 for _each_ harmed subscriber. You can read the reasoning on pages 37-38 of the complaint:
http://www.freepress.net/docs/fp_pk_comcast_complaint.pdf

I assume the FCC would keep these forfeitures… maybe I’m wrong? Their reasoning for the huge fine included the “huge negative externalities on application-providers, content-providers, and all consumers”, including “undermining the future of Internet innovation”. This clearly goes beyond Comcast customers, and it shouldn’t be confused with the class-action lawsuit – they are not the same thing.

Interesting developments to say the least. You can bet other ISPs are watching. :)

We don’t necessarily know Jon, so we can’t assume he’s using BT for the purpose of downloading the newest movies or music illegally.

I lol’ed at this. Why would Comcast PAY the customers who are affected?

GTFO scrubs.