Pirate websites to be blocked
FILM distributor Village Roadshow has won a legal battle to force internet service providers, including Telstra, to block sites used to illegally download movies and other programs.
Village Roadshow – backed by Disney, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros – alleged that, while sites used to illegally download content were located overseas, they were accessible to Australians via local internet service providers.
The studios used examples of popular films and programs including The Lego Movie, Kingsman: The Secret Service and The Big Bang Theory to support their case that owners or operators of offshore websites reproduced, made available or electronically transmitted works, including without a licence or authority.
Federal Court Justice John Nicholas yesterday ordered internet providers – including Telstra, Optus, TPG and Vocus – to take “reasonable steps” to disable access to 42 websites that breached copyright laws, such as Pirate Bay, within 15 days.
“In respect of all the online locations, the evidence establishes that each of those locations has facilitated infringement of copyright in one or more of the Roadshow films,” Justice Nicholas said.
He described the infringements as “flagrant” and said they reflected a “blatant disregard” for the rights of those who owned the films and television shows.
The decision coincides with a separate case brought by TV provider Foxtel against TPG internet, in which Federal Court Justice Stephen Burley yesterday ordered several internet service providers to block 17 sites.
Co- chief executive of Village Roadshow Graham Burke said the Federal Court judgment would help save hundreds of millions of dollars in the film industry.
“It is a major development and a historical moment for Australians,” he said, adding that the blocks impacted around 95 per cent of the offending websites. “For the case of Australia, if this wasn’t addressed there would be no Lion, there will be no Red Dog, there just wouldn’t be a business model to make any films.”
A Telstra spokesman said the telco would comply with the court orders.
“We support flexible, fair and workable approaches to reduce online infringement and protect intellectual property,” he said.