This document will provide you with information on File Sharing in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) format.

Why must I notify you when the files are removed?

The law requires PenTeleData to "take down" or end the illegal file sharing. If you do not contact us to let us know that the files have been removed, we will be forced to make sure they are taken down. We do this by suspending your service until you contact us.

If I make payment to the copyright holder, will the infringement go away?

Some reporters do have payment options available whereas you pay for the files that you have. Paying for a file, however, does not give you permission to continue sharing it. You need to make sure you are not continuing to share files. PenTeleData takes no stand as to whether or not you should pay for the files.

What does it mean to receive amnesty from a copyright holder?

Some copyright holders will grant "amnesty/forgiveness" for infringements when customers contact them regarding the copyright infringement. Customers who choose to pay for services or go to the web links provided (by some reporters) will get a notice informing them that the issue is resolved with the copyright holder.

If my service is terminated for repeated copyright abuse, what can I do?

If your service is terminated by PTD, it is terminated due to repeated violations of our AUP. You can write a letter to PenTeleData requesting a review of your account and requesting that we grant forgiveness. Your letter should include information on why the infringement occurred and what you have done / are doing to prevent illegal file sharing from happening in the future. Writing a letter does not guarantee that service will be restored. You will receive a response from PenTeleData within 2 weeks of our receiving your request.

Letters can be sent to:

  • PenTeleData ATTN: Customer Service Manager
    PO Box 197, Palmerton PA 18071
  • Fax: 610-824-8155

What can I do to prevent further reports?

To safeguard yourself from continuous reports, remove the file sharing programs all together and use sites that allow you to pay for the material. You can also block all shared access to your computer through the software.

Why can’t PenTeleData just block the entire P2P network?

PenTeleData does not monitor your Internet traffic in any way. If you wish to block traffic to and from this network, uninstall any software related for file sharing. Most of these applications will be found under the "Add/Remove" software link in Windows. You may also install an Internet Security application that denies access to these programs.

Why don’t the Copyright reporters go after the P2P programs?

File sharing (P2P) programs are legal programs. They were designed for people to share their own private "non-copyrighted" work. In order to use these programs, you must agree to their terms of agreement. In there they state that they do not monitor anything that is put on their site. Mostly everything on the site is copyrighted as a result of this disclaimer. It is the user's responsibility to make sure it is not copyrighted before downloading or sharing.

What if I get caught with copyright material?

That depends solely on the copyright holder. You could be subject to very hefty fines, court costs, and termination of Internet services (TV and telephone services will still be available).

I received a Copyright Infringement notice from PenTeleData, what does this mean?

In short, we have received a notice from the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) or another Universal Anti-Piracy agency informing us that a customer using our service has been sharing copyright material. Within the notice, a list of information will be present on how to make sure that you take care of the issue along with how to protect yourself from additional legal issues.

How do you know I am sharing files? Why are you monitoring my Internet access?

Simply put, PenTeleData does not monitor your Internet traffic in any way nor do we have any information that you are sharing files. However, if you are sharing files, the RIAA or another Universal Anti-Piracy agency has the ability to find users making this information available to others. If you fall within the range of the PenTeleData network, a report will be issued regarding the specific IP address. In turn, we locate the information to safely determine which customer is sharing the information.

How do I know if the content is legal or illegal?

Through the use of a P2P or Bit Torrent, regardless if it is a music, video, images, e-book, etc., if you didn’t pay for it, chances are good that the content is illegal. Some web sites will offer free MP3’s from recording artist regarding their upcoming album. In an example like this, that download is considered safe but turning around and taking that file without expressed permission from the artist and sharing it for others falls within the guidelines of copyright infringement. Purchasing from ITunes, Netflix etc., is again safe but sharing for others is not.

What are the risks of file sharing?

Bandwidth issues stemming from Adware/Viruses or users connecting to your computer to obtain your shared files (legal or illegal).

The potential risk of downloading Adware/Viruses:

Adware/Malware - May potentially take over your computer by changing your home page, adding unwanted items to your web browser, pop-up advertisements, alter your search engine results, or change the search all together. It may also install additional tool bars within your browser and other miscellaneous programs that are extremely difficult to remove. It may track your browsing habits.


Virus – If not adequately protected with a current and up-to-date anti-virus program, a virus can affect the performance of your personal computer, delete files, and render the PC completely useless. It may also infect other users (example: the virus could be sent to all users in your address book). Depending on the type of virus, it may also infect other users of the PenTeleData network.

If you are not the property owner, you are subject to copyright infringement and may be contacted by PenTeleData in care of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) or by another Universal Anti-Piracy agency.

What is a torrent?

Torrent or bit torrent is very similar to other P2P programs (like LimeWire, Kazza etc.). Torrents integrate themselves into your web browser (example: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari etc.) and create a new file type ".tor" (abbreviated for torrent) within the Windows operating system, similar for the Macintosh operating system. When finding a file that you wish to download, the download will initially start as a small file but then builds itself from other users around the globe until your download is complete. While you are downloading, other users begin to connect to you and get file chunks from you.

What is Peer-to-Peer (P2P)?

Peer-to-Peer, commonly known as P2P, is a giant network of computers in which each user installs and runs software to connect to this network. Without the software (example: LimeWire, Kazza, Bearshare, etc.), you will not be able to see this P2P network. Think of P2P as your office network. Example, employee A (within your office network) is working on a file but is running late today. Since you are working on the same project, you want to complete it on time. Through your office network, you search/locate the file that you need, see that it is shared for everybody, so you download it. Later that day, employee A arrives in the office, finds information that you updated the file. Employee notices that you are sharing it, he is able to grab the file right back from you. Now if you take your office network and expand it to all points across the world, you have a giant network of computers all sharing and downloading files. Some are legitimate files, but the majority are copyrighted materials. Essentially, illegal to share, illegal to download.

What is File Sharing?

File sharing is the distribution of data (documents, music, videos, images, e-books or any other digitally stored information) through the use of a peer-to-peer network, email, Compact disc, etc.