If you’re an Internet user who likes to download and share certain content — such as TV shows, music or movies — you may soon be hearing from your Internet service provider.

As The Associated Press reports, the Copyright Alert System starts up this week, and several major ISPs have agreed to start warnings users who are violating copyright laws by sharing such content via peer-to-peer software. The entertainment industry has pushed for the system.

Is this all Greek to you? If so, you probably have nothing to worry about. But if you’ve been downloading recent episodes of “Homeland,” you might get a curt warning from your ISP.

In fact, the AP reports that you could receive up to six such warnings before the Internet provider takes stronger action, such as slowing down your connection or making you watch an educational lesson on copyright laws.

What do you think about this system? Is this an invasion of your online privacy or a justified protection of copyrighted materials? Will this change your online habits? Email me at mwilliams@coxohio.com and share your thoughts.