Court Rules Against Movie Downloads

The organisation that serves the interests of major film companies, home video and TV industries, the Motion Picture Association (MPA), has revealed a major UK court success.

A website, Newzbin Ltd - that allegedly helps subscribers to illegally download movies and other entertainment - has been held liable for copyright infringement by the High Court of Justice in London.

The MPA - which investigates and reports on activities infringing intellectual property rights, assists with the resulting criminal and civil litigation to protect their copyrights - said that although the precise terms of the Court order are to be announced, the judgement is clear that the Court will order Newzbin to stop giving users access to the films and television programmes.

"We welcome the Court's decision," 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," he said.

In the ruling, 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.

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.

Mr 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.

The MPA represents 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.

It 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.

See: www.mpaa.org/

(BMcC/GK)