In a new twist of the anime downloading saga that has gripped many netizens, local Japanese anime distributor Odex has decided to adopt a softer approach in its war against illegal downloaders.

Odex is asking Singapore Internet service providers (ISPs) to send 'cease and desist' warnings to subscribers suspected of illegal anime downloads.

This is definitely a more subtle approach as compared to the distributor's initial actions, which was to send legal letters direct to violators after obtaining their identities from the ISPs through a court order.

The Straits Times today reported that the ISPs said they have not yet been formally contacted by Odex. The ISPs also declined to disclose further plans until they have more details.

Odex director Stephen Sing, the man in the hot seat and the hate target of the online anime community, said that ISPs need not disclose the identities of subscribers.

The firm's earlier actions in getting court orders for ISPs to reveal the identities of violators was a heated point of contention by many, raising issues of online privacy.

Instead, under the new approach, ISPs will just forward an electronic warning notice from Odex to the alleged infringer.

The notice will list the alleged infringements, and come with a link that subscribers can click on.

They will be asked to acknowledge receipt of the warning and promise not to engage in further illegal anime downloads.

The same link also allows them an opportunity to deny their actions.

According to Mr Sing, Odex will consider a court order to get the ISP to release a user's details only if the subscriber does not respond.

This change in strategy is a consideration for parents who are usually the unsuspecting Internet account holders.

Mr Sing had told the Straits Times that the warning will inform parents of their children's illegal online activities, and allow them a chance to curb their wayward wards.

He also says parents had expressed that they would definitely rein in their children had they known in advance.

In August this year, The New Paper reported that parents of a nine-year-old had received a legal 'shock letter' from Odex.

The war that Odex is waging on illegal anime downloaders was started in May this year, when the firm started sending out legal letters to numerous violators. It has also won two cases and lost one, on obtaining court orders to get ISPs here to disclose the identities of their subscribers.

Some of the letters sent to illegal downloaders demanded settlement sums of $3,000 to $5,000.

Consequently, Odex has incurred the collective wrath of many in the online anime community, with Mr Sing being flamed on forums and receiving death threats.

Many in the online anime community here also say that the latest warning approach adopted by Odex should have been its course of action from the start, instead of the aggressive and direct attitude used in the beginning.

Will the softer approach help mend bridges already burnt by the entire saga, or will it be too little too late for the firm's 'PR' measures?