A large dose of common sense

This is SO satisfying. Aussie ISP strikes landmark blow in copyright war

Aussie ISP iiNet has won a landmark case over service providers' responsibilities when it comes to handling copyright-protected material.

The case kicked off in the Australian Federal Court in October, between internet service provider iiNet, and AFACT (the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft).

AFACT accused iiNet of authorising 'torrent' downloads by not acting on known copyright infringements by its subscribers.

In what is likely to represent a blow to attempts to crack down on copyright infringing downloads, Judge Cowdroy has ruled that iiNet are not guilty.

In 2008 AFACT, the Australian cousins of NZFACT, accused iiNet of condoning copyright infringement, accusing them of ignoring requests to discipline subscribers for breaking copyright laws.

iiNet in turn replied, saying that said that they couldn't disconnect a customer based on mere allegation, and that any alleged offences would need to be proven in court.

Bringing a large dose of common sense into the equation, Judge Cowdroy stated that iiNet has no control over BitTorrent and cannot be held responsible for the actions of its subscribers.

My god, how dare a judge demand that allegations be proved in court before actions are taken against the alleged miscreant? What IS the world coming to when the rule of law trumps the profit demands of entertainment companies?

A gong for Judge Cowdroy.

And next time they come with the "free downloads are damaging the creative people" shtick, show them this.


Brilliant.

Comments

[Dima]

This is a really interesting visualization. Is it possible to know its source and the data it is based on? Thank you!

[Vitorcunha]

I wonder where you got the data for the pie chart CD. It must be from a really unknown CD since you decided not to contemplate the lion's share of every release: pay back the amount of PR, marketing, promotion and physical warehousing and distribution.

[Brews]

I too would be interested in the source of the pie-chart. :-)

[Voltairine]

It would appear to be a graphic representation of the numbers Steve Albini suggested in his 1993 article, "The Problem with Music".

[Ben de Vries]

Vitorcunha: 'profit' is what is left when all expenses have been covered.