The Federal Court right here in Oz is fast tracking a decision in a landmark copyright case being watched both eagerly and nervously by record, film and ISP companies around the world. A coalition of film and TV companies in Australia – including Village Roadshow, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Disney Enterprises, Inc. and the Seven Network – took ISP iinet to court in November 2008. They alleged that iinet authorised copyright infringement in allowing customers to engage in illegal file-sharing of movies and TV shows on its network. It what’s seen as a landmark test case of Australia’s copyright infringement laws, the judge hearing the case has indicated he has made a decision.
Justice Dennis Cowdroy is believed to be making his ruling next Thursday February 4th in a move that will have significant repercussions not only in Australia but for the entertainment business globally. We’re following this one closely – check back in next Thursday for breaking news.
Because providing a link to the court documents is pretty boring, watch a gratuitous clip of The Clash’s I Fought The Law instead
