British Game Companies Target 25K Downloaders

A group of five of the world’s top computer-game makers are getting tough on illegal downloaders, the Times of London reports, demanding settlements of about $555 from 25,000 people across Britain. Those who refuse to settle will be taken to court, the companies—Atari, Topware Interactive, Reality Pump, Techland and Codemasters—are threatening.

The group’s lawyers are petitioning Britain’s top court to force internet service providers to reveal the names and addresses of the 25,000 accused of illegally acquiring popular titles, having already received personal information on 5,000 individuals. By comparison, the British music industry has only gone after 150 individuals in the past 10 years. (More computer games stories.)