Hollywood film legal team won a High Court action to force BT, the UK's biggest internet service provider, to block News Bin 2 (industry reaction)
Preventing access to their UK based 700,000 customers as Newzbin copyright infringement was being carried out on a "grand scale".
With the economic impact of piracy on the film and TV industry, it may be a turning point allowing legitimate and legal Online Film Rental companies to enjoy the subscription levels that will allow them to reduce fees. Making the legal route more attractive.
It was said that, Newzbin 2 makes hundreds of thousands of copyrighted products available without permission and with no regard for the law. With free films, music and games. Potentially reducing the liklihood of new ones being made.
They say that "Online copyright theft deprives businesses of up to 20% of their revenues every year. This little known law will help us to protect our property." Damaging jobs and growth.
Operators of the Newzbin2 website are unknown, but as they have moved offshore it is effectively beyond the reach of the UK courts. Making a block via ISP's the obvious solution.
Chief executive of Consumer Focus (Mike O'Connor) said:
"Website blocking only treats the symptoms, not the cause of why consumers infringe copyright.
"Blocking access to Newzbin2 is shortsighted and will not reduce demand for Hollywood movies. Consumers will seek out other sources and the only long term solution is more and better legal alternatives."