Belgian Court Deputizes ISPs
According to a recent ruling by the Brussels-based Court of First Instance, Belgian ISPs now have to police their networks for illegal file-sharing. The decision mandates that ISPs must install filtering technologies to prevent illegal trading of copyrighted works. The ruling will most likely influence other cases pending throughout Europe.
“This is a decision that we hope will set the mold for government policy and for courts in other countries in Europe and around the world,” said IFPI president John Kennedy. The case pitted the Belgian Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers (SABAM) against Belgian ISP Scarlet.
Scarlet was granted a six-month grace period for implementing a filtering solution with the court even suggesting Audible Magic, the US concern, as a technology partner. Scarlet has been battling SABAM for close to three years.
