A coalition of copyright owners and Internet Service Providers including Comcast, AT&T, Cablevision, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon will begin issuing notices to illegal downloaders this week as part of the newly launched Copyright Alert System (CAS), it was announced Monday. The initiative, introduced last year by the Center For Copyright Information, will target consumers suspected of pirating or sharing copyrighted movies, TV shows, and music. Content owners will work with ISPs to send a series of six escalating warnings to users suspected of copyright violation. After receiving two “educational” Copyright Alerts, alleged violators will be sent two additional alerts requiring a response, followed by two final Alerts accompanied by a reduction of Internet speed and/or forced redirection to a landing page requiring further action. “We hope this cooperative, multi-stakeholder approach will serve as a model for addressing important issues facing all who participate in the digital entertainment ecosystem”, CCI Director Jill Lesser said today in a statement.