iiNet proposes independent copyright 'policeman'

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 15 March 2011 17:14

IT Policy - Regulation

iiNet is calling for an independent body to be established to manage allegations of copyright infringement and for the film industry and other copyright holders to work with the telecoms industry to make their content legitimately available online.

The recommendations are set out in a position paper released by iiNet "to encourage more productive public discussion about the provision of legitimate online content and propose a future model for policing copyright infringement."

iiNet CEO, Michael Malone said that in the paper, 'Encouraging Legitimate use of On-line Content', iiNet had proposed "a model which addresses ISP concerns but one we think remains attractive to all participants, including the sustainable strategy of an impartial referee for the resolution of disputes and the issue of penalties for offenders."

He has called on the wider community including the government and others in the telecommunications industry to "engage in the discussion, emphasising that the inclusion of an independent body deserves serious consideration and support."

"We believe that an independent umpire is the only way we can ensure natural justice and protect customer privacy, while allowing copyright owners their rights to pursue alleged infringers," he said.

Communications Alliance welcomed iiNet's initiative and CEO John Stanton revealed that the organisation had met with content owners in recent weeks "to explore whether an industry-led solution can be found to this complex set of issues."

Stanton said: "We want to continue that dialogue and broaden the discussion to include other stakeholders to help address copyright concerns and foster greater access for Australian consumers to legitimate and commercially available online content."

He said that the industry model and new independent body proposed by iiNet was "a potential solution that warranted further study," adding: "Whatever the solution, we believe it will be more robust and sustainable if it flows from a shared desire from content owners and ISPs to agree arrangements that benefit consumers and all sides of the industry."

Also, in the paper, iiNet argues that movie studios spend millions of dollars marketing and creating a demand for their products but then fail to make these easily and readily available. "People are crying out to access the studios materials, so much so some are prepared to steal it," Malone said.

He said the copyright infringement action launched against iiNet by a group of movie studios "has not stopped one illegal download, and we believe there is a much better way than that previously promoted by the studios'¦A more effective approach would be for the studios to make their content more readily and cheaply available online."