Many of these run on the computers of ISPs or the main servers of corporate networks.
Internet service providers (ISPs) began complying soon afterwards in a typically haphazard fashion.
Nobody would want to limit the appeal of their sites by designing them to work properly only on the fastest PCs.If users have spare money to devote to computing, they are more likely to spend it on increasing the bandwidth of their connection or on staying online for longer, both of which will benefit ISPs and cable operators rather than the PC industry.
ISPs were anxious about the cost of developing interception equipment, and some firms were worried that handing over keys would threaten their own security.
AOL's flat-fee system seemed to have blown up in its face.In fact, most ISPs, including MSN, have recently been offering flat fees, usually without riots.
At the moment, most ISPs would be happy with either.
So instead the record companies lobbied to get copyright liability extended to cover not only individuals who infringe, but also those who facilitate infringement namely, the internet service providers (ISPs) and file-swapping services.
In Britain, the launch of free ISPs means people no longer have to pay to get on to the net.
Several well-known spammers have been on the receiving end of writs from the larger ISPs, most notably America Online.
One of the most effective ways to block spam in which users ask their internet provider to accept only e-mails from a list of pre-approved senders ends up blocking school friends trying to get back in touch, or new business contacts.In the face of such tactics, the efforts by ISPs alone are clearly not enough.
An American internet shutdown would require the co-operation or coercion of many hundreds of companies and individuals.Mobile operators are increasingly ISPs too, as phones become smarter.
