AFACT vs iiNet - A Sensible Decision
Australia - 6/02/2010
In case you hadn’t heard, the Australian Federal Court dismissed a claim by the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) against the Internet Service Provider iiNet (who happens to be my provider). AFACT was representing movie companies and claimed that iiNet didn’t do enough to prevent piracy on its network as it had failed to warn or disconnect users who the movie companies claimed had downloaded or distributed movies illegally.
This action amounts to suing Australia Post or a Courier for delivering a package that happened to contain a pirated DVD. Fortunately an Australian Court Judge saw the folly in this and dismissed a lawsuit, ordering AFACT to pay costs.
I don’t condone piracy, but the providers of internet communications should not be held responsible if their customers download or distribute copied material.
Movie companies should pay more attention to why people download and distribute movies illegally – and how they could make downloads available legitimately at a fair price. This is the only way to reduce piracy.
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