UK Judge hands American big copyright a blank cheque to filter the internet

As you may recall, back in July, a UK judge ordered BT to block newzbin at the request of the big copyright lobby in the states. This has now been given a date - BT have 14 days to enact this requirement.

The interesting (And by interesting I mean utterly ridiculous) part is that the ruling states that BT must also block "any other IP address or URL whose sole or predominant purpose is to enable or facilitate access to the Newzbin[2] website". What this means is that the companies that brought this suit can simply decide they don't like a website, and tell BT to block it.

Now, I know what your thinking. Your thinking that this only applies to newzbin, right? Wrong, it also applies to "any other IP address or URL whose sole or predominant purpose is to enable or facilitate access to the Newzbin website". So sure, that sounds straightforward. But what if a site has a newsbinz search engine? What if it links to a few choice downloads? What if it just links to newsbinz homepage? What if it just links to copyright material full stop? It will take time, but we will see this ruling allow the yank copyright lobby exert a tighter and tighter grip on our internet connections.

I can't even attempt to convey my feelings on this, that someone could have this little understanding or respect for our freedom, is beyond words. All I will say is, it is my fervent hope, as society starts to wake up to the realisation that it is now a possession of the government and big corporations, that this judge will realise the part his ignorance played in the downfall. Frankly, I hope the guilt kills him.

UK internet now controlled by American Corporations

A touch dramatic? Maybe not. According to this BBC report, the MPA has received an injunction from the high court, ruling that BT must block access to the site "newsbinz" using its "CleanFeed" system.

I don't know where to begin with this. I am actually, physically, angry about this. Does the high court really think the file sharing is the same level of problem as child porn? Because that's what the CleanFeed system was put in place to stop.

Next, the fact that the MPA is an American corporation, so this isn't even in the interests of a British company. Of all the things our high court could be dealing with, why is it dealing with an American corporate is considered worthwhile?

Of course this being a test case, it will now be a trivial matter of throwing lawyers at the problem to have other ISPs forced to block newsbinz in a similar fashion. And then, that's it, precedent set, if the MPA doesn't like a site, for the cost of some lawyers, they can have it blocked from the UK internet.

What really pisses me off about this is that its censorship. You should NEVER take down something with a valid legal purpose, just because it is also used for copyright infringement. As long as there is one valid file up there, then the ONLY correct solution is to go after the individual uploaders. Don't like it? Well, I can't shoot the CEO of a certain American collective in the face, and I don't like it, but thats just tough luck.

I'm sick and tired of legitimate resources being attacked over what is a non-issue. Are you listening big content? This is a NON-ISSUE - if you magically stopped all infringement of your content you know what would happen to your profit line? It would drop! Dramatically. I can't wait until people no longer buy CDs - once everything is digital, the Indie will be king and you will be crying into your milk.

And BT - Why are you not appealing this? Why are you not dragging this to the European Court of Human Rights? You were on the front line when it came to the DEA, why are you sitting back and taking this? Or are you all talk and no trousers?

Word cannot describe how angry I am that this idiot judge has allowed this censorship, rather than sending the MPA lawyers packing - or better yet, sticking them in the tower of London. When the revolution eventually gets off its computer chair, you sir will the first against the wall.

In Soviet Britain, MPA censor YOU!