Newzbin Website Liable For Copyright Infringement

March 29, 2010 - PRLog -- Although the precise terms of the Court order will be announced later this week, the judgment is clear that the Court will order Newzbin to stop giving users access to the films and television programmes that belong to the member companies of the Motion Picture Association. In the ruling issued today, the court found that the UK-based company engages in copyright infringement even though the protected content does not reside directly on its website. Rather, Newzbin provides links to unauthorized copies of copyright works, including films, TV programmes, commercial software as well as other illegal content. Newzbin charges a monthly fee for subscribers to use its services and has built a substantial business based on copyright infringement.

“We welcome the Court’s decision today," said Ted Shapiro, the Motion Picture Association's general counsel for Europe. "Newzbin is a source of immense damage to the creative sector in the UK and worldwide. This is an important decision and it sends a clear message that websites focusing on providing viewers with pirated film and TV programmes infringe copyright and are liable for their actions even where those websites don't themselves host the content. This decision will help to support the continued investment in new legal online services and the creation of new films and television shows for enjoyment by audiences both in the UK and around the world.”

The Court ruling clarifies the implementation of European legislation in the UK, finding that the services of Internet intermediaries are increasingly being used by third parties to infringe copyright, and that such parties are in the best position to bring such illegal activities to an end.

Shapiro said that the MPA remains committed to its core mission of encouraging and pursuing common-sense solutions that support the creativity of the motion picture industry and offer film fans the widest possible choice of movies and TV programmes to enjoy.

Notes to Editors:-

Q) If existing legislation can be used to address online copyright infringements, why do rights holders need the proposed clause 18 in the Digital Economy Bill?

A).  The industry has long stated that there are many issues that need to be addressed to reduce Piracy.   We are pleased this ruling has established that it is proportionate and reasonable for courts to order UK-based sites to implement measures to address online theft.    
 
Now that the principle is beyond doubt, clause 18  in the Digital Economy Bill  will clarify a more efficient framework for delivering relief to rights holders promptly and that will reach sites outside of the UK.    In many cases – for example with a leaked pre-release film [or an untelevised sporting event] available online – time is of the essence. Clarification that we are able to go to court quickly and have the evidence assessed in time to prevent infringements happening, is very much to be welcomed.    Clause 18 has not been about creating new rights and obligations – the objective is to clarify the law and render it more effective.

For more information about the MPA, please visit www.mpaa.org.
 
Contact for further information:
Geraldine Moloney
Motion Picture Association
+44 7802 157516
Geraldine_Moloney@mpaa.org

Importance of the creative industries:
   According to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the creative industries now account for economic output of at least £60 billion per annum which amounts to more than 8% of UK GDP and puts the sector ahead of financial services, construction and tourism in terms of its contribution to the UK economy.
   Recent reports have indicated that the creative industries provide 1.8 million jobs in the UK, and with piracy depriving their businesses of up to 20% of their revenues every year, many of those jobs are at serious risk.  This problem is particularly clear when you consider that over 50% of all internet traffic is illegal P2P file-sharing.
   The creative industries support a wide range of jobs, including sound engineers, camera crews, set designers, IT workers, make-up artists, journalists, printworkers, script writers, proofreaders, retail shop assistants and freelance photographers, among others.

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About the MPA:
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) serves the interests of major motion picture companies, home video and television industries in the global marketplace: Paramount Pictures Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Universal City Studios LLLP, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
The MPA investigates and reports on activities infringing intellectual property rights, assists with the resulting criminal and civil litigation to protect their copyrights, and conducts educational outreach programs to teach movie fans around the world about the harmful effects of copyright theft. These film studios in aggregate are the largest investors in the UK film industry, making such major films as Harry Potter, Sherlock Holmes and Alice in Wonderland in the UK as well as carrying out a wide array of post-production work here. These activities generate thousands of jobs each year in the UK.