Sky Broadband customers to receive letters demanding cash for downloaded porn films

The letters are thought to be an example of ‘speculative invoicing’, where companies send demands for money in the hope people will be scared into paying

(Rex Features)

Sky customers are to receive letters demanding they pay for porn.

The company has warned its broadband customers they may receive letters from company “Golden Eye”, requesting they pay for what it says are illegally downloaded films. But experts have warned the letters may just be an example of “speculative invoicing”, where companies send invoices to people in the hope they will be scared into paying them.

Sky customers may be asked to hand over as much as £700 for having watched such films, even if they haven’t knowingly done so.

Golden Eye has successfully applied for a court order against Sky. It meant the internet company was forced to hand over IP address information for people Golden Eye suspected of having downloaded the films, which can then be used to work out addresses.

It is now likely to send out letters to at least some users, according to the BBC.

"We have written to all affected customers, advising them carefully to read the letter from Golden Eye, and if they want any further help, to contact the Citizens' Advice Bureau," Sky said.

A Golden Eye director said the company would send letters to thousands of Sky customers, but denied the company was involved in speculative invoicing. He said the action was instead intended to stop people who were infringing copyright on both pornographic and mainstream films.

"We have only written to those account holders for whom we have evidence of copyright infringement," Julian Becker claimed to the BBC.

Solicitors have pointed out some companies use the same techniques to try and force people into paying even if they have not downloaded such films, either because they are afraid or scared of paying or that they would prefer to avoid expensive solicitors fees.

The Citizens Advice Bureau describes such tactics as “pay up or else” schemes. It advises customers who are being pressured to seek advice,or contact Trading Standards if they believe they are being pressured.

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