The Motion Picture Association (MPA) is heading to the courts in a bid to force BT to block access to an illegal downloads site.
The MPA has started legal action against the ISP in a bid to ensure it uses Cleanfeed technology, which BT already supplies to a number of smaller ISPs, to prevent web users visiting Newzbin, a site that offers links to other locations on the web where music, movies and other content can be illegally downloaded. The technology is already used to block access to websites containing child sex abuse images.
MPA initially started legal action against the site in 2010, and subsequently Newzbin was required to remove any material that infringed copyrights. However, the site went into administration and was then sold to new owners and launched again from the Seychelles.
"Newzbin has no regard for UK law and it is unacceptable that it continues to infringe copyright on a massive and commercial scale when it has been ordered to stop by the High Court," said Chris Marcich, European president of the MPA.
"We have explored every route to get Newzbin to take down the infringing material and are left with no option but to challenge this in the courts."
The MPA said it was targeting BT first as it's the UK's largest ISP, with 5.6 million subscribers.
BT confirmed it would "be appearing in court, following an application for an injunction by members of the MPA" but said it had "no further comment to make at this stage".
Comments
Matt Egan said: Perhaps its because i earn a crust creating media but I do find incredible this idea that music and films should be free simply because they are on the Internet If no-one pays no-one gets paid and ultimately nothing gets made Actually nothing gets made apart from marketing materials I understand why people think things should be free or even less expensive Id like to get paid more for doing less but there is no justification for theft
Righteous said: If its OK to download other peoples work for free then please try not paying for anything else you use either See how far you and the rest of society goes