Industry Code to Help Combat Internet Piracy Lodged for Registration
Sydney, 8 April 2015 – A new Code of practice, designed to help drive down the rate of online copyright infringement, or “internet piracy” in Australia, has today been submitted for registration by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA).
The Copyright Notice Scheme Code 2015, published by Australian Telecommunications Alliance following approval by its Board of Directors, has been amended following consideration of more than 370 public submissions received in response to a call for public comment on an initial draft Code in February and March.
The Code is the product of an intensive development process during the past 120 days by Internet Service Providers (ISPs), consumer representatives and a broad alliance of Rights Holders from the music, film, television and performing arts industries.
The ACMA will now consider whether to register the Code, which will apply to approximately the largest 70 Australian ISPs.
The Code creates a Copyright Notice Scheme through which residential fixed internet users who are alleged to have infringed copyright online will receive an escalating series of infringement notices designed to change their behaviour and help steer them toward lawful sources of content.
The Scheme has a strong emphasis on public education and does not contain explicit sanctions against internet users, but does provide for a
‘facilitated preliminary discovery’ process through which ISPs can assist Rights Holders who may decide to take legal action against persistent infringers.
The Scheme contains strong safeguards against any threat to the privacy of internet users and allows an account holder who receives three infringement notices in a 12 month period to have the validity of the allegations independently reviewed.
Amendments made to the Code in response to public comments include:
the removal of a proposed $25 fee that would have been payable by internet users in order to challenge and obtain an independent review of an infringement notice; and
stronger consumer representation on the Copyright Information Panel(a body that will oversee the operation of the notice scheme and run a web site to help educate the public on infringement issues).
Communication Alliance CEO, John Stanton, praised the dedication and cooperative spirit of Rights Holders, ISPs and consumer representatives who developed the Code in record time.
“There are still some commercial details, including elements of the scheme funding arrangements, to be finalised and the finished product must meet the approval of the ACMA, but all stakeholders believe that the Code can be an important tool toward the shared objective of reducing online copyright infringement in Australia,” he said.
The operation of the Code and the notice scheme are not affected in any way by the recent Federal Court decision on preliminary discovery in the Dallas Buyers Club case.
Rights Holders involved in the Code development include APRA AMCOS, ARIA, Australia Screen Association, Copyright Agency, Foxtel, Free TV Australia, Music Rights Australia, News Corporation Australia, Village Roadshow Limited and World Media. The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) represented consumer interests during the Code development and further advice was received from the Internet Society of Australia.
The effectiveness of the Code will be independently evaluated 18 months after its commencement.
Further information:
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
