Pirate Bay verdict “a victory for ISPs”

Today Internet Service Providers welcomed the conviction of Pirate Bay operators on charges of assisting copyright infringement as a victory for the rule of law.

Malcolm Hutty, Head of Public Affairs for LINX, said “This is vindication for our view that justice prevails when both sides have a fair trial. Copyright law enforcement should be handled in courts, where both party’s rights are protected. Justice is undermined when innocent intermediaries such as ISPs are asked to bypass the court system for the sole benefit of the record labels.”

ISPs have been under pressure from record labels to introduce network based filtering of copyright material, and disconnect Internet users without a trial under so-called “three strikes” measures.

Many ISPs believe effective network filtering is technically impossible, and risks harming the security of the Internet as well as the development of new Internet services. “Three strikes” rules, such as the HADOPI law awaiting a vote in the French National Assembly, are also considered unfair by many ISPs.

Civil liberties groups also raise concerns about Internet censorship by private corporations.

Hutty continued “We hope that this verdict will give political leaders more confidence in the courts, and show they need not give in to music industry demands for preferential treatment”.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. LINX is a mutual, not-for-profit organisation whose 300-plus members include almost all UK Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and content delivery service providers plus many from the Americas, mainland Europe, the Far East and Africa.

2. LINX is the largest membership association for ISPs in the United Kingdom. Its core purpose is to facilitate the interconnection of Internet networks through “peering”, and to represent the interests of its members in matters of public interest.

3. The Pirate Bay is one of the world’s largest Bittorrent (peer-to-peer filesharing) web sites.

For more information call Jeremy Orbell or Malcolm Hutty on 01733 207700 or e-mail malcolm {at} linx(.)net