Britain's Channel 4 now offers video-on-demand through its 4oD service, but its use is being heavily restricted by UK ISPs, reports CNET UK.

The service runs on VeriSign's Kontiki, a P2P service similar to BitTorrent or Limewire. ISPs automatically limit its use through "packet shaping," a tactic that limits download speeds by up to 500 percent.

P2P use in Britain is restricted as piracy, a growing problem in the country. Since television is subscription-based, people turn to services like BitTorrent to watch their favorite programs and movies for free.

Although Channel 4 is a legitimate network, its use of Kontiki to disseminate free content places their VOD service in the same net as other restricted piracy activities.

4oD, Channel 4's video on-demand network, is a premiere offering for the UK that allows users to catch up on missed programming provided by the station.