Australian ISPs Unveil Draft Copyright Notice Scheme Industry Code

On 20 February, Australian rightsholders and ISPs published their first draft proposal of a Copyright Notice Scheme industry code to curb Internet piracy. This new code should see a three-strikes graduated response system being introduced across the country. The ‘three-strikes’ system would see the ISPs sending warning notices to their customers after alleged copyright infringements are detected and reported by rightsholders. The system would also see a maximum of three notices being sent to customers within a period of twelve months after which the rightsholders would be entitled to resort to legal proceedings.
Furthermore, the scheme provides a so called “facilitated preliminary discovery” process through which ISPs can assist rightsholders who may decide to take legal action against persistent infringers. However there are still many details to work out including those of costs.

A public consultation is currently running until 23 March, after which the draft will be submitted to the Australian Communications and Media Authority.

Source:  Australian ISPs Reports