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iiNet v AFACT: Ruling fast-tracked to next week

Judgment coming sooner than expected

The ruling on the landmark copyright case between Perth ISP, iiNet, and the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) is expected to be handed down next week.

The trial began in the Federal Court in October and finished up in late November. While the ruling was not expected to be out for several months, the decision seems to have been fast-tracked. Sources from both parties confirmed they were expecting a verdict from Justice Dennis Cowdroy next week.

Representing a number of Hollywood studio bigwigs, AFACT took iiNet to court over alleged copyright infringements by the ISP’s subscriber base through the BitTorrent client. The plaintiff argued iiNet ‘authorised’ the illegal downloading activities by not acting on known cases of infringements on its network.

The case has been followed closely by the Government. In December, Broadband and Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, expressed his intention to bring on new legislation to address online copyright issued following the court ruling.

“We are just waiting to see the outcome of the case,” he said. “The court case may settle this issue… It may show to the world ISPs have got the responsibility to work with copyright owners to work out a solution or to monetise a solution.”

For a timeline of the court case, click here.

Nominations for the 2012 ARN IT Industry Awards open on Tuesday, June 12.

More about: ACT, etwork, iiNet
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