Danish Supreme Court Decision: ISP's Are Part Of The Solution To Internet Piracy

New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ IFPI) - The Danish Supreme Court has ruled that Internet Service ProviderTelenor must continue to block its customers' access to illegal Swedish service The Pirate Bay. The decision is warmly welcomed by IFPI and shows that the Internet service providers are part of the solution to the large-scale piracy that currently undermines the movie-, music- and book markets.

This is the third time Danish courts have ruled in favour of the right holders in this matter, with two previously rulings by the bailiff's court and The High Court reaching the same result. It has now over 2 years since right holders within the film, music and book industry asked the bailiff's court to order Tele2 to block The Pirate Bay. Since then Tele2 has been acquired by Telenor, Denmark's second largest Internet service provider (ISP).

In its ruling The Supreme Court emphasizes the importance of "the large-scale infringement of intellectual property rights" that takes place through The Pirate Bay website, and stresses that the right holders have a "substantial interest that is important to protect" in bringing this infringement to a halt. Hence, the Supreme Court rules that the preconditions of imposing the blocking as stated in The Danish Administration of Justice Act are met.

The lawyer who conducted the case at The Supreme Court representing the right holders Johan Schl�ter says: - "The court's decision is commendably clear. It confirms that the ISP's are part of the solution to the piracy problem. The decision is an important step in the right holders' efforts to create an efficient market for movies, music and literature on the Internet. It is crucial to the continued growth and success of the legal services that the illegal services are restricted as much as possible."

The right owners expect the other Danish ISP's to follow the decision of the Supreme Court and block their customers' access to The Pirate Bay.