A consortium of film studio giants has begun a High Court appeal against internet service provider (ISP) iiNet over illegal downloads.

Having brewed for more than two years, the copyright case between iiNet and the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) may soon come to a close as both parties head off to the High Court.

A new anti-film piracy group has hit the headlines over its intention to take legal action against individual alleged copyright infringers on behalf of film studios. But some observers have questioned the efficacy of this tactic in deterring piracy and whether this is just a ploy for studios – and their lawyers - to make an easy buck.

Hollywood studios, recording labels and internet service providers have created a program to alert internet subscribers when their accounts are used to access movies, songs and other content that entertainment companies consider unauthorised.

The Internet Industry Association (IIA) is set to draw up an Industry Copyright Code to clarify the role of ISPs should they be accused of content piracy online.

The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft has lost its appeal in the copyright case against Perth-based ISP, iiNet. But it hasn't conceded that all is lost.

A damning report commissioned by the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) on movie theft’s impact on the economy will do little to discourage film piracy online, according to Internet advocacy group, Electronic Frontiers Australia (EFA).

The Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft (AFACT) has dismissed iiNet’s legal content distribution platform, Freezone, in the Full Federal Court.