iiNet wins piracy trial

'Deal with us or else': The Australian organisation representing film and TV studios in their war against online content piracy has written to local ISPs inviting them to work with it on a solution to the issue -- or else it will take action in its own right off the back of precedents set in its lawsuit against major ISP iiNet.

The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) today said it would appeal the Federal Court's judgement against the group in its internet piracy case against iiNet.

iiNet this afternoon rejected a renewed legal challenge by a coalition of film and TV studios as "disappointing and frustrating", adding it would not stop piracy.

The High Court of Australia has this morning granted film and television studios the right to appeal against the decision made earlier in the year in the case against Australian ISP iiNet.

iiNet landed a sound victory in court today, with movie studios being ordered to pay iiNet's full costs and the ISP being exonerated of copyright infringement charges.

After two unsuccessful attempts to collar Australia's second largest ISP iiNet for copyright infringement in court, the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) which represents major film companies and the Seven TV network is lodging an appeal in the High Court of Australia. AFACT is alleging that iiNet authorised copyright infringement by users of its service.

Rather than lashing out at the movie studios for wasting a year of iiNet's time, managing director Michael Malone has offered a peace deal.

Australia's largest telco has welcomed the Federal Court verdict against a consortium of film and TV studios that tried to sue iiNet.

Several of Australia's major internet service providers have cautiously indicated support for a proposal unveiled by iiNet last week to set up an independent authority to administer allegations of copyright infringement by internet users.