Internet providers can be forced to block access to illegal downloads, rules EU Court

EU-based internet service providers can be ordered to block customers’ access to a copyright-infringing website, following a ruling on the 27 March 2014 by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

The judgement followed a dispute between Austrian Internet provider Telekabel Wien and two film companies, based in Germany and Austria, over whether the internet service provider (ISP) should be forced to prevent its customers from accessing film download site kino.to, a Tonga-based website that received nearly 4 million visitors a day.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 28.03.14: EU Court upholds blocking copyright-infringing websites http://www.euractiv.com/sections/innovation-enterprise/eu-court-upholds-blocking-copyright-infringing-websites-301207

Deutsche Welle, 28.03.14: EU verdict rekindles Internet censorship debate http://dw.de/p/1BXYo

European Court of Justice: Press Release, 27.03.14: Judgment in Case C - 314 /12 http://curia.europa.eu/jcms/upload/docs/application/pdf/2014-03/cp140038en.pdf

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