BPI wants to block more music download sites

 

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By Stewart Mitchell

Posted on 19 Feb 2013 at 12:23

The BPI is seeking to block three more BitTorrent sites, with the music industry group seeking a court order to make ISPs stop would-be downloaders accessing the sites.

The three sites - Fenopy, H33t and Kickass Torrents – would face the same sanctions previously imposed on Newzbin2 and The Pirate Bay, with the BPI asking ISPs to block access to those sites over piracy concerns.

ISPs have said they will block sites, but only with a court order. The case against the three domains is expected to be heard at the Chancery Division of the High Court today.

The move has attracted criticism from rights groups, who believe the legal procedure involved in the cases lacks transparency, especially as it allows the blacklist to be widened without further legal process.

Once a site is blocked, its alleged clone sites can also be blocked, but in this case, BPI will be able to practice this without a court order

Although the sites that are set to be blocked would have a direct court order forcing ISPs to prevent access, copycat sites with similar names can be blocked without judicial scrutiny.

"Once a site is blocked, its alleged clone sites can also be blocked, but in this case, BPI will be able to practice this without a court order. The decisions would be made between BPI and ISPs and will not be published," the Open Rights Group said.

The criticism follows the BPI blocking a site called The Promo Bay last year after it was added to the list of sites that were wrapped up with The Pirate Bay.

Although the site was set up by The Pirate Bay staffers, it was a legal site promoting new musicians.

The BPI has confirmed to PC Pro that it's taking legal action over three sites. "We are seeking court orders requiring ISPs to block access to three infringing websites," the BPI said. "The matter is currently being considered by the court and it isn’t appropriate to comment further at this point."