Dutch film industry calls on Parliament to vote for ‘download prohibition’

Last week the Dutch ant-piracy foundation BREIN announced to support the policy priority letter Copyright 20©20 of Secretary of State Teeven. The priority letter includes a proposal to prohibit downloading of copyright protected content derived from illegal sources. However, the majority of the parliamentarian copyright commission is not in support of the proposal. Now, the Dutch film industry has sent an urgent letter announcing their support for the ‘download prohibition’ and call for measures against the illegal distribution of movies.

During the General Consultation on November 31 last, the Parliament said to not support a prohibition to download copyright protected content derived from illegal sources. The Parliament fears the prosecution of individual downloaders and violation of internet users’ privacy.

Nevertheless, in the letter to the Parliament, the film industry argues that instead of chasing individual consumers, the industry wishes to tackle businesses and organized groups that publish illegal copies of copyright protected work on a “mega scale” every day. Should the Parliament decide against a ‘download prohibition', it is impossible for the film industry to defend themselves against large-scale theft of movies on the internet, according to the industry.

Today the Parliament continues talking about plans to renew copyright policy and a possible ‘download prohibition’.

The film industry’s letter can be read here (in Dutch).

Reference: Nu.nl

By: Karen Groen