Film, TV industries rejoice as telcos ordered to block pirates

The film and television industries have claimed a significant victory after winning federal court approval to block 42 websites that provide pirated streams of acclaimed Australian movies such as Lion and Mad Max: Fury Road.

Film distributor Village Roadshow won its legal proceedings against telco services, forcing them to block domain names.

Federal Court judge John Nicholas ordered internet providers Telstra, Optus, TPG and Vocus to take “reasonable steps” to disable access to a number of websites that breached the law, such as Pirate Bay, within 15 days.

“In respect of all the online locations, the evidence establishes that each of those locations has facilitated infringement of copyright in one or more of the Roadshow Films,” said Justice Nicholas.

Village Roadshow has been working with other media and entertainment companies across the creative industries in the fight against illegal streaming services.

Co-chief executive Graham Burke, one of the most ardent campaigners for anti-piracy legislation in the world, said the court decision vindicated a concerted effort to shore up the future of a “great Australian success story”.

“Site-blocking has been very effectively implemented around the world and proven to reduce the theft of content as well as increase use of legal sites,” he said. Mr Burke said a recent report found one million people — 8.7 per cent of the Australian workforce — relied on copyright, which generates $111 billion of economic value. “The thieves who run pirate sites contribute nothing to Australia — they employ no one and pay no taxes here. Of the enormous profits they earn, not one cent goes back to the original creators of the content.”

Since the first site-blocking orders were made in December last year, the Federal Court has ordered 65 piracy sites to be blocked, and more than 340 domains.

Despite the clampdown, 21 per cent of Australians aged 18 to 64 admit to pirating content at least once monthly, with the rate at 26 per cent among 12 to 17-year- olds, according to a report by industry trade group Creative Content Australia.

Foxtel chief executive Peter Tonagh said the court decision “illustrates the gravity of the threat” posed to hundreds of thousands of local jobs. Lion producer Emile Sherman said: “Lion has been embraced by paying audiences all around the world. But millions of people have streamed or downloaded it from pirate websites without paying. While Lion drew on the best creative talent from across borders, it is at heart an Australia story.

“These independent films are as much at risk from online piracy as studio blockbusters, by jeopardising investment in the already risky business of film production.”