BT blocks file-sharing site

Forcing BT to block access to an alleged file-sharing site is “short-sighted” and “dangerous”, consumer organisations have said.

The landmark ruling handed down by the High Court is the first time a UK internet service provider (ISP) has been ordered to do this and paves the way for further website-blocking by rights holders.

Peter Bradwell, copyright campaigner at the Open Rights Group, called the measures counterproductive and “technically naïve”. He warned: “Website-blocking is pointless and dangerous. These judgments won’t work to stop infringement or boost creative industries. And there are serious risks of legitimate content being blocked and service slowdown.”

The test case was launched in June by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) against BT, to get clarification about the ISP’s legal responsibilities to combat copyright infringement.

Justice Arnold said in his judgment: “BT has actual knowledge of other persons using its service to infringe copyright; it knows that the users and operators of Newzbin2 infringe copyright on a large scale.”

The MPA is expected to seek orders that would force other ISPs to block Newzbin2. No other ISP has commented on this possibility yet but BT said it seemed a natural extension of the ban.

Mike O’Connor, Consumer Focus’ chief executive said: “Website-blocking only treats the symptoms, not the cause of why consumers infringe copyright.”