Illegal downloads about to be much more difficult

The government could force search engines to remove or demote results for piracy websites.

The government has proposed legislation that would lengthen the list of websites that companies could seek to have blocked. Picture: iStock

The government could force search engines to remove or demote results for piracy websites. It is a surprise victory for the creative industries in their battle against copyright infringement.

The government yesterday introduced legislation that would make it harder for Australians to illegally download free music, films, television programs and other content.

Following a campaign by The Australian for measures to safeguard copyright laws, the government has proposed legislation that would lengthen the list of websites that companies could seek to have blocked. Currently, copyright holders can seek an order from the Federal Court to require internet service providers to block access to infringing websites. New rules would enable complainants to seek an injunction requiring search engines such as Google to take action against sites hosting ­illegal content.

Google has a 95 per cent share of the search market in Australia and more than 50 per cent of the market for mobile device operating systems via ­Android. The passage of Australia’s Copyright Amendment (Services Providers) Bill 2017 exempted American technology companies from safe harbour provisions.

Yesterday’s announcement was welcomed by industry bodies representing creative industries.

Bridget Fair, the chief executive of Free TV, the commercial television industry’s trade group, said the legislation was a “very important initiative to support Australian creators of all kinds against theft of their content”. Speaking on behalf of the Seven, Nine and Ten networks, Ms Fair said: “Australians love great local content and they love it is available for free on commercial networks. Free TV broadcasters are responsible for $6 of every $10 spent on Australian production. But our investment in great content is put at risk by those who choose to steal content through online piracy.

“This legislation will put a stop to the high-tech game of whack-a-mole copyright owners have been forced to play, by allowing content creators to quickly seek blocks on proxy and mirror sites and a wider range of overseas websites and file-sharing services.”

A Foxtel spokesman said: “Foxtel welcomes the introduction of the government’s newly proposed copyright amendment bill, which will strengthen the ability of the creative industry to combat the scourge of online piracy.”

Graham Burke, chief executive of Village Roadshow and chairman of Creative Content Australia, said the legislation would protect Australian jobs. “The biggest losers are the pirates in undisclosed locations whose business model is to scam people by stealing credit details, blocking and infecting computers with viruses.”

Paul Wiegard, president of the Australian Independent Distributors Association, said: “Site blocking is the most effective remedy to content creators, but piracy continues to do significant harm.’’

Paul Muller, CEO of the Australian Screen Association, said: “Some of the bigger blocked online locations continue to attract hundreds of thousands of page views through the use of proxies and alternative domains.”

A spokesman for Google said the company has recently invested in new tools and systems to combat online piracy.

Foxtel is 65 per cent owned by The Australian’spublisher, News Corp.