A copyright amendment approved by the Italian authorities breaches the EU convention on human rights, an ISP organization has warned. The law allows the Italian Communications Regulatory Authority to issue "take down, stay down" instructions to websites listing allegedly infringing content but without intervention from the judiciary.
With a new public service announcement, a group of State Attorneys General warns the public that pirate sites are a severe threat to online safety. Hackers use pirate websites to steal IDs and financial information, or even take over people's webcams without their knowledge, they say.
New Zealand Police have confirmed that Kim Dotcom was unlawfully surveilled for two months longer than previously admitted. The revelation is an embarrassment for local law enforcement and increases pressure on those responsible. Dotcom, meanwhile, is smelling blood: "What's next? What are the consequences?" he says.
The UK's Premier League has obtained a new High Court injunction that will enable it to continue the fight against illicit online soccer streaming next season. In common with an order obtained earlier this year, the new injunction will require ISPs to promptly block access to Internet servers illegally distributing Premier League content.
In June, the Supreme Court of Canada ordered Google to remove a company's websites from its search results all over the world, not just in Canada. With options to appeal exhausted in Canada, this week Google filed for an injunction in the United States, arguing that the ruling violates the First Amendment.
In Finland, tens of thousands of people face demands for cash settlements for alleged copyright infringement. The mass influx of piracy threats has triggered alarm bells at Finnish authorities and organizations, with the Government actively finding ways to defuse the situation.
New Zealand Prime Minister Bill English is the latest high-ranking official to come under pressure as a result of the Kim Dotcom spying fiasco. English, who was acting Prime Minister in 2012 when much of the spying took place, now stands accused of acting unlawfully when he tried to have the surveillance of Dotcom recognized as a state secret.
Social networking giant Facebook has bought a startup that focuses on intellectual property protection and management services. The acquisition will help to expand Facebook's anti-piracy repertoire, and make sure that copyright issues are properly handled.