On 28 February 2009, Section 92A of New Zealand’s revised Copyright Act will require Internet service providers to terminate Internet accounts on the basis of copyright holders' allegations of infringement.
What is interesting, or perhaps disturbing, is that under this new law, businesses that provide Internet access for employees will now be classified as Internet service providers. Giant media companies may be thrilled with Section 92A; this means that media companies and other copyright holders will not be required to go after the infringing individual allegedly illegally downloading materials and prove guilt, but will now send infringement notices to the business where the employee is gaining access to the Internet, requiring the business to work through the accusations of copyright infringement.
What many businesses in New Zealand still don’t know is that Section 92A requires that the Internet service provider (now any business that provides Internet access to its staff) must adopt and reasonably implement a policy that provides for termination, in appropriate circumstances, of the account with that Internet service provider of a repeat infringer.
Internet New Zealand Inc. has called on the New Zealand Government to resolve problems with Section 92A to prevent the cutting off of Internet access to innocent people and businesses and to avoid disruption to business.
Read New Zealand Government release.
Read news story.
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