The four major music labels have launched lawsuits against two Irish internet service providers, BT Ireland and UPC Ireland, in order to force them to take action against subscribers who illegally download music.

The move comes after Sony BMG, Universal, EMI and Warner Music sued Eircom, Ireland’s largest telecoms operator, in a similar case last year. The case was settled out of court earlier this year, with Eircom promising to implement a “three strikes and out” rule to disconnect persistent illegal downloaders after two warnings.