Fans of illegal downloading might have to get a little more creative in their approach thanks to Time Warner Cable. Doubling baseball’s standards, the entertainment industry is instituting a “six strikes” anti-piracy plan to deter Internet users from snagging copyrighted material without paying for it.

I don’t like paying for my music any more than the next person, but I agree that something needs to be done to regulate downloads of entertainment material. If someone can’t use a picture without citing the source and paying their dues, the same should go from movies and music.

That said, the system Time Warner has outlined seems a bit futile. In the “six strikes” plan, the first two violations will result in an email announcing that copyrighted material has been downloaded. Although the email urges recipients to review educational materials on copyright laws, most will delete the email and go on their merry way.

The third and fourth violations elicit a splash screen that forces users to acknowledge the accusation that they have downloaded copyrighted material. The users Internet is suspended, but only until they click through the window that educates violators on their illicit behavior.

On the fifth and sixth violation, Time Warner gets serious. Users will receive an email AND click-through window. While an inconvenience, the notices only require perpetrators to promise to stop before their Internet is restored, a suspension that can last up to 14 days unless an appeal is filed. After that, however, no more action is taken.

Kudos to Time Warner for trying, but their anti-piracy policy hasn’t impressed anyone yet, even they say there currently isn’t much the ISP can do with current user agreements, even though those are being amended. But anyone with a good amount of technical knowhow will be able to wiggle their way around the “six strike” policies.

Although Time Warner and Verizon are making moves to stop piracy, AT&T and Comcast have yet to reveal their methods for halting illegal downloads. Of course the initial plan won’t be perfect, but at least movement is being made in an area that really needs to be regulated. Even the U has taken action against illegal downloading and blocked Internet access to those caught kifing copyrighted material.

I know a sea of college students are sighing at the prospect of their music libraries dwindling, but it’s something students need to accept. Although Time Warner doesn’t have the best solution, they are starting a process that won’t be stopped and will change the way media is transferred.

Back to the days of buying songs on iTunes and subscribing to Netflix, the amped up anti-piracy policies might lower the costs of these services when they are getting their proper dues and making media available to everyone. Sites like Spotify especially deserve user love for making music available without a hefty price tag.

So, now is the time for everyone to get on the Internet and download everything you’ve ever wanted. Times are changing and it is something we should accept, not fight.