On 1st April 2011, broadband firms and copyright holders discussed the creation of a new independent authority to manage a blacklist of music and firm piracy websites.
Major ISPs will filter their internet access against those blacklisted piracy sites that have been suggested by some copyright holders such the Pirate Bay, BitTorrent trackers and advertising-supported download sites under this blacklist project. They are typically hosted in those countries that United Kingdom's copyright law cannot be used to shut them down.
According to sources, no details of the potential funding or structure of such a body have been agreed, but broadband providers are firm that independent checks on some complains such as from music and firm industries that would not have to make multiple complains, which would be essential for a self-regulatory approach to online copyright enforcement to work.
Their discussions with copyright holders on websites blocking are part of broader talks organized by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport to encourage a rapprochement between the two after years of mutual distrust. As well as agreement on enforcement, their government has said it wants the industries to work together on new, licensed music and film services.
On the idea of an independent blacklisting body, executive director of the Open Rights Group, Jim Killock said: "On the face of it, I find it hard to imagine how it would resolve complaints or who would take liability when things go wrong."
Digital Economy Act meant to allow the government to force broadband providers to block piracy websites. The Culture Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, ordered the review in February, stating “it is not clear whether the site-blocking provisions in the Act could work in practice”.
However, reports from last week said that voluntary website blocking was being encouraged as a "Plan B" measure. A DCMS spokesman declined to comment on the claim.
Internet Reference:
telegraph.co.uk URL: ISPs discuss central blacklisting body for piracy sites [Online] Retrieved on 2 April 2011.
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