Dutch ISPs will not work with a new anti-piracy plan from Dutch movie distributor Dutch Filmworks, which aims to warn illegal downloaders and streamers.
Dutch Filmworks claims to have lists of IP addresses of illegal users of copyrighted material, according to the Dutch movie news site Movie Scene. The list were obtained from a German firm, who is active in chasing piracy users in Germany.
The scheme envisaged by the Dutch dustributor is to ask ISPs to send letters to those IP addresses that engage in illegal activities. These letters will serve as a warning threatening legal action if further copyright infringements are noticed.
KPN and Ziggo, the country’s largest ISPs, have so far refused to work along with this scheme. The two operators will not hand over information of their customers, unless ordered by a judge.
“Only clearly substantiated complaints, with the indication ‘manifestly unlawful actions’ are taken by us in consideration. However, we will never just answer to requests for names and addresses,” said a KPN spokesperson.
In a related move, Dutch film producers and distributors are demanding compensation of €1.2bn from the Dutch state for what they say is its failure to stop illegal downloading
The Dutch movie industry is holding the government responsible for the country’s high piracy rates, claiming it tolerated and even encouraged unauthorised downloading for years.
Meanwhile Popcorn Time – the so-called ‘Netflix for pirates’ – has returned online but, according to the developers, will nog offer any new functionality. The site was taken offline last October following legal actions.
