Public response to iiNet judgement:

11 February 2010 02:25 PM

It's now a week since Justice Cowdroy ruled that iiNet did not authorise its users to infringe copyright on its network, and the news has had time to sink in. ZDNet.com.au asked the public what it thought of the verdict.

The film industry had alleged that internet service provider (ISP) iiNet "authorised" copyright infringement occurring on its network. But the ISP argued that although copyright infringement may have been occurring on its network, it was not responsible for stopping it.


Justice Dennis Cowdroy ruled for iiNet, saying it did not authorise its users to infringe.

After the decision, the film industry called on the Federal Government to do something about online piracy, but would not comment on whether it would appeal.

The Sydney Morning Herald previously reported a spokesperson for the minister saying that the government was considering a "three strikes" rule � if a user infringes copyright three times they would be cut off by an internet service provider � depending on the outcome of the trial.

However, the day after the decision, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy told ABC TV's Hungry Beast program that the film and ISP industry should create a code of conduct together to prevent piracy, instead of looking to legislation.

This was a landmark decision for the industry. In case you missed the furore, ZDNet.com.au has also put together a video summary of what it was all about.

ZDNet.com.au also has longer videos of iiNet managing director Michael Malone, Internet Industry Association CEO Peter Coroneos and Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft executive director Neil Gane on the day of the trial.