The contents of my email to my hosting company regarding their misguided bittorrent policy:

<snip>
I read today that 1and1 is implementing a support policy regarding bittorrent files, and further that this policy is misguided.

This is unfortunate and must be reconsidered. The bittorrent technology is capable of vast and important non-infringing uses. I use it daily and have never in my life downloaded a copyright-infringing file. Not to mention the fact that I can use it to distribute my own content, which by definition is non-infiringing.

Further, it appears that your response thus far has been to indicate that the bittorrent technology will increase load on your servers. Nothing could be farther from the truth, and this position reinforces the fact that your decision makers know nothing about this technology. In fact, use of bittorrent will substantially decrease server load on your machine over hosting those same files and delivering them via ftp or http, both of which are firmly supported by 1and1.

The only reasons that I can think of that 1and1 might hold these position are either a) a lack of education on the technology and its uses, or b) a wish to concentrate bandwidth usage within 1and1 accounts and thus increase your ability to bill for bandwidth overages. The first is capable of remedy, and I hope my email will help you move towards a better understanding of the technology. The second is reprehensible and cause for me to take action.

I manage a 1and1 account for a colleague, and we have several domains hosted in that account (among them kinrowan.net). I am increasing my internet exposure and am close to deciding whether or not to move to a full server account or to co-locate somewhere. Your response to this issue will help me determine whether or not to continue with 1and1 or to move my current accounts and all future business to another hosting company. Please listen to this customer and make the right choice.

I expect a full and personal reply regarding your plans with respect to this policy.

My thanks;
Cori Schlegel
</snip>

My thanks to Boing Boing for the pointer.