Categories: Web

Record companies want to control what we access online, Irish Government obliges

EMI Ireland's time would be best spent innovating rather than pursing draconian-style policing policies

Threatened by legal action from EMI Ireland, the Irish Government has agreed to publish an order next month, “plugging a gap” in Irish copyright law and effectively allowing record companies to restrict access to whole websites in Ireland as they please.

Minister of State for Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation Seán Sherlock has promised to publish an order in January 2012 that would allow copyright holders to seek court proceedings against internet service providers (ISPs) to force them to restrict access to certain websites that could potentially facilitate the illegal pirating of music and films.

EMI originally highlighted this “loophole” in Irish law (depending on your perspective) in October 2010 when, in a High Court bid, the company failed to force UPC to filter network access to particular websites – Mr. Justice Peter Charleton stating that such injunctions could not be enforced under the Copyright Act in its current form.

Willie Kavanagh, Chief Executive of EMI Ireland, mostly blames illegal downloads and not massive changes in how we consume media over the last number of years for sharp declines in group revenues. Kavanagh claims €60 million in lost revenues over the last six years as a direct result of illegal pirating.

If ISPs are eventually forced to prevent access to sites like The Pirate Bay or Kickass Torrents, there are of course easy ways to circumvent such restrictions with free software and services like Hotspot Shield and Hide My Ass!

Albizu Garcia

Albizu Garcia is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gain -- a marketing technology company that automates the social media and content publishing workflow for agencies and social media managers, their clients and anyone working in teams.

View Comments

  • @thesociable @siliconireland I'm no fan of clunky govt legislation, but are you suggesting illegal downloading isn't an issue?

  • @thesociable @siliconireland I'm no fan of clunky govt legislation, but are you suggesting illegal downloading isn't an issue?

    • @ciaranj It obviously is an issue but blocking off certain parts of the internet for all is no the way to combat piracy

    • @ciaranj I think we're stepping into dangerous territory by allowing the internet to be filtered in anyway

      • @darrenmccarra I quite agree. But the tone of that article seems to suggest that there is no issue; that record companies are making it up

      • @darrenmccarra I quite agree. But the tone of that article seems to suggest that there is no issue; that record companies are making it up

      • @darrenmccarra I quite agree. But the tone of that article seems to suggest that there is no issue; that record companies are making it up

  • @thesociable @siliconireland I'm no fan of clunky govt legislation, but are you suggesting illegal downloading isn't an issue?

    • @ciaranj It obviously is an issue but blocking off certain parts of the internet for all is no the way to combat piracy

    • @ciaranj I think we're stepping into dangerous territory by allowing the internet to be filtered in anyway

      • @darrenmccarra I quite agree. But the tone of that article seems to suggest that there is no issue; that record companies are making it up

Recent Posts

Are AI chatbots crossing the line? The risks developers need to know ahead of Valentine’s Day

AI chatbots are transforming communication, but recent headlines reveal their darker side: lawsuits over harmful content and reports…

10 hours ago

India’s digital ID architect touts DPI for govt tracking individual finances, vaccine passports

DPI systems can just as easily exclude people from participating in some aspects of society…

10 hours ago

HR execs head to Orlando for HR Management Institute event to help define the future of work 

HR has always had far-reaching responsibilities, however its focus has long been on employee retention…

4 days ago

Longview Fusion Energy Systems Highlighted as Key Contributor in Multiple FIRE Grants

Longview Fusion Energy Systems has announced its role as a key contributor to two of the…

1 week ago

As CFOs battle tough odds, accounting solutions help to drive new efficiencies 

As CFOs battle tough odds, accounting solutions help to drive new efficiencies  More than anything,…

1 week ago

An algorithmic Apple of Discord: DARPA renames Theory of Mind program to ‘Kallisti’

Could 'Kallisti' be the beginning of another Trojan Horse scenario? perspective The US Defense Advanced…

1 week ago