Film distributor Village Roadshow has won a legal battle to force internet service providers, including Telstra, to block sites used to illegally download movies and other programs.
Village Roadshow - backed by Disney, 20th Century Fox, Paramount Pictures, Columbia Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Bros - alleged that, while websites used to illegally download content are located overseas, they are accessible to Australians via local internet service providers.
The studios' case used examples of popular films and programs including The Lego Movie, Kingsman: The Secret Services and episodes of The Big Bang Theory to support its case that owners or operators of the offshore websites either reproduced, made available or electronically transmitted works without a licence or authority.
Breaching copyright laws
Federal Court Justice John Nicholas on Friday ordered internet providers, including Telstra, Optus, TPG and Vocus along with brands operated by them, to take "reasonable steps" to disable access to 42 websites that breach copyright laws, such as Pirate Bay, within 15 days.
"In respect of all the online locations, the evidence establishes that each of those locations has facilitated infringement of copyright in one or more of the Roadshow films," Justice Nicholas said.
He described the infringements as "flagrant" and said it reflected a "blatant disregard" for the rights of those who own the films and television shows.
The decision coincides with a separate case brought by TV provider Foxtel against TPG Internet, where Federal Court Justice Stephen Burley on Friday ordered several internet service providers to block 17 sites.
'Historical moment'
Co-chief executive of Village Roadshow, Graham Burke, said the Federal Court judgement would help save hundreds of millions of dollars in the film industry.
"It is a major development and a historical moment for Australians," Mr Burke told AAP on Friday, adding the blocks make up around 95 per cent of the offending websites.
"For the case of Australia, if this wasn't addressed, there would be no Lion, there will be no Red Dog, there just wouldn't be a business model to make any films."
A Telstra spokesman said the telco would comply with the court orders.
"Online copyright infringement is a serious issue," the spokesman said.
"We support flexible, fair and workable approaches to reduce online infringement and protect intellectual property."
