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SIX MAJOR FILM and TV studios have secured a High Court injunction directing internet service providers (ISPs) to block websites involved in the illegal downloading of films and television shows.
Justice Brian Cregan said he was satisfied to make the orders against several internet service providers because “it was clear from the evidence” before the court that breaches of the studio’s copyright had “manifestly occurred”.
Justice Cregan granted orders requiring the ISPs to block or disable access by subscribers to a number of websites, known as “streaming” websites including movie4k.to, primewire.ag and the website currently located at onwatchseries.to
The orders would not amount to a breach of the lawful use of the internet nor were they disproportional, the judge added.
Their proceedings were brought against: Eircom, Sky Ireland, Vodafone Ireland, Virgin Media Ireland, Three Ireland, Digiweb, Imagine Telecommunications and Magnet Networks. Summonses have been served to all these companies.
Access disabled
None had opposed the application and the court heard that they had adopted a neutral stance to the orders sought.
The studios, all members of the Motion Picture Association had sought the orders on grounds including that up to 1.3 million users here may be involved in illegally accessing their films via various websites.
Represented by Jonathan Newman SC, the companies argued digital piracy is costing the studios hundreds of millions annually and, according to recent research, lead to the loss of 500 jobs here in 2015 and €320m in lost revenues, they claimed.
The plaintiff studios are Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Disney Enterprises, Universal Studios, Sony Pictures Television and Columbia Pictures and their case is supported by independent distributors and filmmakers in Ireland.
There were no opposition to the orders, and the court was told that all the ISP were taking a neutral stance to the movie companies application.
However the court was asked to deal with issues raised by Eir. The company, which said it was prepared to pay the cost involved in dealing with the websites involve to date, expressed concerns about the costs of dealing with such sites or domain names in the future.
Blocked
It was concerned about the cost implications if it had to deal with a large number of these sites. It asked the court to put a cap on the number of notifications per month the movie companies could issue directing it to block certain websites involved in illegal downloading.
Conor McDonnell, solicitor for Eir said his client was suggesting a cap of perhaps 50 notifications per month. The movie companies said they were opposed to any cap.
Justice Cregan said there should be no cap on the amount of notifications for the time being.
The judge, who noted that there was a lack of evidence from any party as to how many notifications might be needed over a given period, said that he was persuaded by the argument that any cap might not be effective or dissuasive.
The judge, who also welcomed that Eir and the movie studios had resolved another outstanding issue in relation to the temporary blocking of certain websites, also ruled that no costs order should be made in the case.
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This happened the same day as the mother and baby report was released. FFG know well what they’re at timing it as such. Shower of…..
@Ciarán O’ Donoghue: majority of comments deleted due to language unfortunately. I wish that we all contact our elected politicians today and say NO. I didn’t break regulations and I do not accept this from banks nor political parties or anyone.
@Ciarán O’ Donoghue: FFG is not a party. Bit like saying SFDUP which would be inaccurate.
@Fionn Darland: well there are some very major differences between sf and the dup, you may have noticed them, on the other hand there are zero differences between ff and fg so to all intents and purposes they are one party.
@Fionn Darland:
FFG pretends to be 2 separate parties but they can be regarded as a solitary party.
@Paul Somers: couldn’t of said it better myself
Do as I as I say, not as I do.
@John Fairclough: farcical.
@John Fairclough: excuse me, but how can a comment that I or you made now appear in a different article. Neither of us saw this poor article, we respectfully commented on a well articulated article two days ago.
Couple months off on full pay, and snouts back in the trough. They’re taking the p.
Same old thing. coalition and FF will be gone within 6 months.
@John Collier: To be replaced by what exactly?
@Eoin McCarthy: Sinn Fein?
Getting FFG out of power is essential. They have had 100 years uninterrupted power.
The housing crisis and health crisis will never be solved with FFG in power so they need to go. Urgently.
Things are moving in that direction. its downward spiral of support continues. Currently at 43% support the next election should hopefully further rediuce its support to 35%.
Very smart of them to say ‘I shouldn’t have been there in the first place’ rather than saying that the tax-subsidesed Party shouldn’t have happened in the first place
Personal responsibility when it reflects bad on their mates, shared responsibility when it looks refkects on them as individuals. The typical FFG line. Yawn.
@Dylan Byrne: How was it subsidised by tax payer? FFG is not a party. Bit like saying SFDUP which would be inaccurate.
@Dylan Byrne: It wasn’t taxpayer subsidised
Con men.
Typical FF.
Totally gutless.
Their a rses w hipped is what should be done !
When will the people of this country wake up and stop voting for this FFG Mafia.
Funny how they ‘shouldn’t have been there in the first place’ isn’t ‘that Party the tax payers paid for shouldn’t have happened in the first place’
Personal responsibility when it reflects badly on their mates – Shared responsibility when it reflects badly on themselves.
Typical FFG line, it’s hardly surprising anymore.
This is not a Fairway to treat the Public, it’s Bunker politics again and putts stroke play back on the cards.
@James Keogh: Hole in one there!!
Definition of insanity electing the same low life and expecting a different outcome
At this stage I have to ask why do people vote for them?
This world is doomed 70m trump supporters says it all
@Helena O Riordan: sorry to say but when there is a reasonable alternative. They are all the same at the moment. All there to skim what they can from the surface and crawl away with all the benefits and not be answerable to anyone.
@Edward Reid:
It’s time to give Sinn Fein a chance. If they screw up then they can be voted out again.
Getting rid of FFG is now urgent.
Oh what contempt ff and fg hold the people of this country in! And to announce this at midnight in the midst of the mother and baby report findings. Proof if any was needed that those who hold the power in this country laugh at the “little people “.
Election on the way by the look of this crack.
It’s just a magic roundabout that goes around and around. Rest in peace zeibidee, the way you popped up to surprise us back in them days is long gone.
Bigger issues to be dealt with tbh. Are we all so innocent. One thing about politicians is they are open to criticism every day, we the people are not
@Fintan O’Halloran: when you enter that life, you take the good and bad that comes with it, I have no time for “selective” politicians. If you live in the public life, you accept the public criticism, end of.
@Fintan O’Halloran: They should be held to a higher standard than us, the people that elect and pay them.
@Fintan O’Halloran: The politicians with their salary plus vouched and unvouched expences should certainly be open to criticism . The circus continues.
@Fintan O’Halloran: Sure they attack and undermine each other more than the public does. I wouldn’t be too concerned with their feelings. You can be sure they’re not bother about yours.
How cynical can you get?…releasing this news on a big Newsday with the Mother and children’s homes report. The media in this country have a lot to answer for.
GOOD OLD IRISH POLITICS
FF looking after their own
Ahem…..
I wonder if we will ever get an honest government in power in Ireland?. The dealings and bull s**t that spout from hese people beggers belief.
This is appalling.
We had a referendum on keeping the Seanad in 2013. We voted – with a very small margin – to keep it, on the clear understanding that it would be reformed and made democratically accountable.
Nothing has happened since.
ALL senators are thieves. They are claiming a salary of 70,000 eur a year each for doing absolutely nothing.
The Seanad needs to be abolished.
18 comments here. 108 on one if another county’s politics. This is why these things continue here.
Ooh friend.! Fukn politican friend!
Someone once said we get the government we deserve…that says it all
Makes me sick the way these ars–olesget away with breaking the law
Goes to show how deluded ffg are. They seem to not think breaking the law is a problem. Funny how this happens when the gravest of reports is released, so the attention is off them. A report that subsequently critized numerous ffg governments
have your say