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The Publishers Association applauded today's high court ruling requiring BT to block filesharing site Newzbin2, the first time a website has been blocked by an internet service provider in the UK under copyright law.
The ruling places responsibility directly on BT to both block the site and finance the implementation, with BT to block the site from its service within 14 days. The order has been structured to help minimise the opportunities for Newzbin2's operators to develop new variations of the site and circumvent the block.
PA chief executive Richard Mollet said: "Today's order is fair, proportionate and clear. This will give the British creative sector more confidence to continue our investment in online business models."
The high court made the initial judgment in July, finding Newzbin2 to be infringing copyright "on a grand scale". The ruling potentially sets a legal precedent that courts can issue orders to prevent illegal activity online, and that ISPs are best-placed to take action.