The Danish Supreme Court ruled on May 27, 2010, that Telenor must continue to block its customers' access to The Pirate Bay. This marked the third time that the rights holders were successful in their case against Telenor in Denmark.
/ 28/05/2010 / codexThe decision shows that telecommunications companies (ISPs) are part of the solution to the widespread piracy, says a press release from IFPI in Denmark.
– The Danish Supreme Court ruled today that the internet provider Telenor is obliged to block the connection to the illegal Swedish pirate service The Pirate Bay. Both the bailiff's court and the high court have previously reached the same result. It is almost 2 ½ years since copyright holders in music, film and literature went to the Danish bailiff's court in January 2008 to order Danish Tele 2 to block their customers' access to The Pirate Bay. Tele 2 has since been taken over by Telenor in Denmark.
In its decision, the Danish Supreme Court emphasizes that there is a "very extensive infringement of copyright" via The Pirate Bay, and that the copyright holders have "a significant and protection-worthy interest" in bringing the copyright infringements to an end. It is with these reasons, among others, that the Supreme Court concludes that the conditions in the "Administration of Justice Act" are met so that Telenor can be ordered to block The Pirate Bay.
The copyright holders' lawyer Johan Schlüter, who argued the case before the Supreme Court, says:
- "The decision is exemplary clear. It confirms that internet providers are part of the solution to the piracy problem. The decision is an important step in the efforts to create a well-functioning market for film, music and literature on the internet. It is crucial for the continued growth and success of legal services that the spread of illegal services is limited".
Rights holders in Denmark now expect the country's other internet providers to follow the Supreme Court's decision and block access to The Pirate Bay.
Read the full press release here:
Earlier this year, TONO, IFPI and the other rights holders chose not to appeal their case further to the Supreme Court, on the grounds that Norway has not implemented the EU Copyright Directive correctly.
Read more here: