03 August 2011 | Author: L Boyd Media Intern
Following a new report from Ofcom, the government has scrapped plans for widespread website blocking, a decision that poses "far-reaching implications for every UK internet user," according to The Register.
The move surprised many in the blogosphere and creative industries alike, particularly following the result of last week's Newzbin hearing.
Courts ruled that BT had to block the Newzbin website, which provides links to pirated material such as movies, books and games. This is the first ruling of its kind, with BT being the first service provider instructed to block this type of website, and the move has been hailed as a victory for the creative industries.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA), which brought the case to court, represents several major production studios such as Warner, Fox and Disney and praised the result.
"This ruling from Justice Arnold is a victory for millions of people working in the UK creative industries and demonstrates that the law of the land must apply online," MPA representative Chris Marcich told the BBC.
Many online sources, including the BBC, suggested this may be the first of many such cases.
"The government is also considering the feasibility of more widespread site blocking, including looking at the possibility of a voluntary scheme between ISPs and rightsholders," the news source reported just last week.
However, the government's latest decision indicates blocking illegal filesharing websites may not be the way forward.
The Digital Economy Act, released by regulatory body Ofcom last year, proposed a move to tackle piracy by blocking such websites, yet today the decision was revoked, and The Register reported Ofcom will likely defend this by saying "no website blocking can be 100 per cent effective."
Also, The Guardian reported communications minister Ed Vaizey indicated a specialised investigation into web blocking deemed it too complicated to work effectively.
Government voices maintain that whilst a web blocking policy may not be coming into place, the MPA victory should encourage rights holders that they still have the right to take court action against anything they perceive as illegal activity.
"Last week's landmark high court ruling, which forced BT to cut off access to mass-piracy site Newzbin2, showed that there is a route forward if rights holders want to take it," Vaizey said.
Web blocking's a no-go following Ofcom Report
Following a new report from Ofcom, the government has scrapped plans for widespread website blocking, a decision that poses "far-reaching implications for every UK internet user," according to The Register. The move surprised many in the blogosphere and creative industries alike, particularly following the result of last week's Newzbin hearing.
Courts ruled that BT had to block the Newzbin website, which provides links to pirated material such as movies, books and games. This is the first ruling of its kind, with BT being the first service provider instructed to block this type of website, and the move has been hailed as a victory for the creative industries.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA), which brought the case to court, represents several major production studios such as Warner, Fox and Disney and praised the result.
"This ruling from Justice Arnold is a victory for millions of people working in the UK creative industries and demonstrates that the law of the land must apply online," MPA representative Chris Marcich told the BBC.
Many online sources, including the BBC, suggested this may be the first of many such cases.
"The government is also considering the feasibility of more widespread site blocking, including looking at the possibility of a voluntary scheme between ISPs and rightsholders," the news source reported just last week.
However, the government's latest decision indicates blocking illegal filesharing websites may not be the way forward.
The Digital Economy Act, released by regulatory body Ofcom last year, proposed a move to tackle piracy by blocking such websites, yet today the decision was revoked, and The Register reported Ofcom will likely defend this by saying "no website blocking can be 100 per cent effective."
Also, The Guardian reported communications minister Ed Vaizey indicated a specialised investigation into web blocking deemed it too complicated to work effectively.
Government voices maintain that whilst a web blocking policy may not be coming into place, the MPA victory should encourage rights holders that they still have the right to take court action against anything they perceive as illegal activity.
"Last week's landmark high court ruling, which forced BT to cut off access to mass-piracy site Newzbin2, showed that there is a route forward if rights holders want to take it," Vaizey said.
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