The Pirate Bay is an online index of digital content of mostly entertainment media, founded in 2003, where visitors can search, download and contribute links and torrent files. (Photo : Facebook/Pirate Bay)
Pirate Bay, Kickass Torrents, and other torrent sites are going to have their file sharing activities in Australia unaltered for some time, owing to the halting of antipiracy activities. The country's music royalties body APRA AMCOS has reportedly put the brakes on its campaigns of cracking down the aforementioned sites.
The body's application, which was filed in April, seeks to have Australian internet service providers block access to piracy websites like Kickass Torrents, Pirate Bay, plus seven other related domains. The motion was filed on behalf of Warner Music Australia, Albert Music, Universal Music Australia, and Sony Music Entertainment.
According to Australian News, the temporary termination of the case is due to a similar case that was brought forth by Foxtel and Roadshow from the film industry. Representatives from the music industry, at Wednesday's preliminary hearing, argued that they were willing to have their hearing after the completion of the similar motion.
Coordinated by Music Rights Australia, the case's directions hearing was moved forward to Wednesday from June 6, which was the initial date. Both cases are in quest of exploiting newly issued copyright infringement laws passed in 2015, in the controversial Amendment concerning online infringement.
Nevertheless, at the moment, the rights holders from the music industry are sitting back to watch how Kickass Torrents, Pirate Bay, and their counterparts will hold against the charges filed by Foxtel and Roadshow. So far, the battle has come down to which parties are going to incur the costs.
Australian ISPs are reportedly not disputing the legality of blocking piracy sites. Rather, they do not want to incur the costs of implementing the blockage. They believe that a precedent around cost sharing should be the ultimate solution.
According to Torrent Freak, the ISPs feel that they are innocent parties and should not be forced to carry the burden of financing the operation. The Studios, on the other hand, disagree with the ISPs, bringing about a bone of contention.
Additionally, there is an argument of how the blocks will be implemented from a technical perspective. Meanwhile, the next case management hearing will take place on July 11 after the film studios are done with their hearing June. Afterwards, a final hearing will happen in October.
Watch a video on the new Australian anti-piracy laws below:
