Deadline looms for voluntary ISP code on illegal piracy
Internet providers are putting the last minute touches on a draft piracy code to tackle illegal downloading before a Federal Government deadline this Friday. 
Companies including iiNet, Telstra and Optus have all contributed to the industry code, which came about after ultimatum which sees the Government put the onus of tackling piracy back on the copyright holders giving them 120 days to agree a “industry code” before they look to pass any legislation, after an extensive consultation period with industry.
Late last year Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Attorney General George Brandis issued a joint release announcing the move and changes to the Copyright Act to allow rights holders to ask internet service providers to block access to websites operated outside Australia which give access to their content unlawfully.
An Optus spokeswoman told Mumbrella the company was working with the wider industry to meet the Government’s deadline, but added better consumer education and better pricing and accessibility to content were needed to solve the problem of illegal downloads.
I wonder if the ISP’s have thought about the fact that if they go ahead with banning sites like this, what other reason would consumers like me have to take up packages that have unlimited or large data limits.
I use on the providers listed in the above article and the minute this proposed legislation comes into effect I will be calling them up to cut my plan in half.
Interesting to see that the providers listed above have their own ‘internet tv’ packages available on Foxtel.
Regardless, I’m sure the VPNs out there would be cheering for this too!
@Mumbs – I reckon they are pretty conscious of this, hence why they have been fairly uncooperative to date
@Mumbs – Seriously? Blocking torrents sites is still going to see a demand for unlimited or large data quotas – eg those who download LEGALLY from places like iTunes or who are into online gaming! Consumers will also require unlimited or large data limits in order to use paid streaming services such as Stan and Netflix.