Ireland today passed new legislation that allows copyright holders to force Internet providers to block ‘pirate’ websites. Dubbed ‘SOPA Ireland,’ the copyright law amendment makes it possible for rightsholders to obtain an injunction against sites they deem to be infringing. While the US SOPA is much broader, the Irish version was met with great opposition. [...]
After failing last year in its attempt to force a local Internet service provider to block online piracy, a major record label is now taking on a much bigger opponent. Yesterday, EMI Records filed a lawsuit against the Irish state for not fulfilling its obligations under European law which would otherwise allow for the “blocking, diverting or interrupting of internet communications” which breach copyright law.
Previously Eircom worked out an agreement with the Irish equivalent of the RIAA to disconnect customers suspected of repeated copyright infringements. Today, Ireland’s largest ISP announced another deal with music industry lobbyists in which they agree to prevent their customers from accessing The Pirate Bay, starting next month.
This month Ireland’s largest ISP will assist with an anti-piracy campaign against its own customers. After making a deal with IRMA, Ireland’s answer to the RIAA, Eircom will first warn alleged copyright infringers before ultimately disconnecting them. Now, in what appears to be a leaked document, the entire groundbreaking deal is outlined.
As previously shown, BitTorrent can be a boon to the independent film-maker. Usually a lack of money restricts the distribution of a film, but occasionally the content works against it. As well as the promotion of new, aspiring talent, torrents can be used to spread films which may be politically discouraged from more usual methods.
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Peter Sunde Left Quote
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