Web-Site Blocking Legislation Requires Precision
Sydney, 26 March 2015 – The telecommunications industry is examining the Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill 2015 and will assist Government and Parliamentary committee members to refine the legislation, Australian Telecommunications Alliance said today.
John Stanton, CEO of Australian Telecommunications Alliance said that industry was not consulted on the drafting of the Bill, so is now examining it for the first time.
“We intend to contribute to the consideration of the legislation by the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs,” Mr Stanton said.
“We have given conditional support for this initiative but have cautioned that web-site blocking is a relatively blunt tool, with risks of ‘collateral damage’ if not applied with precision.
“The Bill should, for example, ensure that “online location” is precisely defined, to reduce the risk that web-sites may be unintentionally impacted when multiple websites reside under a single IP address or domain,” Mr Stanton said.
“The Government should also ensure that through the legislation or Court rules ISPs are indemnified by rights holders against any actions they take to comply with a site-blocking injunction.
“We note that the Government anticipates another cost impost on internet service providers (ISPs) as a result of the legislation. We are yet to see the detail of this estimare but believe that additional cost for ISPs assisting the fight against copyright infringement should be avoided.”
ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE
Australian Telecommunications Alliance is the primary communications industry body in Australia. Its membership is drawn from a wide cross-section of the communications industry, including carriers, carriage and internet service providers, content providers, platform providers, equipment vendors, IT companies, consultants and business groups.
Its vision is to be the most influential association in Australian communications, co-operatively initiating programs that promote sustainable industry development, innovation and growth, while generating positive outcomes for customers and society.
The prime mission of Australian Telecommunications Alliance is to create a co-operative stakeholder environment that allows the industry to take the lead on initiatives which grow the Australian communications industry, enhance the connectivity of all Australians and foster the highest standards of business behaviour.
Media information contact:
info@austelco.org.au
