Ending online piracy in Australia long overdue, say rights holders!
Rights holders could potentially block hundreds of piracy websites
Blocking online piracy is long overdue in Australia and should steer consumers towards legitimate services for their music, movies and TV shows, stakeholders say.
The federal government has introduced draft laws to block overseas websites facilitating online piracy, potentially blocking Australians from downloading popular programs like Game of Thrones for free.
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the legislation would give rights holders a "new tool" to protect their commercial interests regarding copyright infringement on websites overseas.
Foxtel's corporate affairs spokesman Bruce Meagher said the bill was not specific to TV and it was in the best interests of the music and movie industry as well.
"This will benefit free-to-air broadcasters, movies and the music industry," Meagher said.
He said blocking piracy has had a positive effect on the entertainment industry in Europe and the new laws, if passed, should have a similar effect in the Australia as well.
Not only is Meagher hoping the flow-on effect is a stronger uptake of Foxtel and its new streaming service Presto, but also for the new players in the online market Netflix and Stan.
"Hopefully consumers will look for legitimate alternatives," Meagher said.
"Our general view is the more people get used to the idea that there are affordable and easy ways to pay for TV and services, the better it is for everyone.
"We encourage people to take up any of those services, but obviously Presto."
Network Ten has some of the more popular US dramas on Australian TV but they have suffered a hit in the overnight ratings of late.
New music drama Empire is a sensation in the US and is one of the few shows that continued to gain new viewers each week but in Australia is only averaging about 270,000 per episode.
A Ten spokesman says piracy has severely undermined their business.
"We welcome the additional enforcement mechanisms that this bill provides," a Ten spokesman said.
"Online piracy severely undermines the business model for quality television content so any measures that help to reduce piracy rates are welcome."
