RCN Settles Class Action Suit Over P2P File Sharing

This one sounds familiar.

A class action settlement is pending between broadband Internet subscribers and Internet service provider RCN Corp. Just like Comcast, RCN is accused of throttling peer-to-peer (P2P) traffic for movies, games, TV shows, etc. According to the class action lawsuit, RCN used “stealth technology” that “intentionally interfered with its subscribers’ ability to use the Internet by delaying or blocking their Internet use and transmissions.” The suit alleges RCN tried to discourage P2P traffic so that subscribers would pay an extra $15 a month for its premier “uncapped” service.Unfortunately there are no monetary awards for RCN subscribers (the lead plaintiff received $3,000), but RCN has agreed under the class action settlement to stop all P2P network management practices that affect P2P traffic until November 2010. After this period, RCN will adopt new network management practices and allow subscribers the ability to opt-out of their subscription, without penalty, within 30 days after RCN notifies customers of it’s new policy.If you wish to exclude yourself from this class action settlement, you must do so by May 14, 2010.  Details for how to submit a valid exclusion request are found in the Settlement Notice. The final approval hearing will be held June 4, 2010.