New Zealand currently has a three strikes policy that bans repeat peer-to-peer file sharers, but the country has now taken its anti-piracy efforts another step forward. The new development now being reported is shocking because of the virtually limitless reach it will give to copyright groups looking to crack down on pirates.
Fines up to $15,000 could be handed out to pirates inside the jurisdiction of the New Zealand Copyright Tribunal.
Instead of copyright groups needing to prove copyright infringement took place, it's more likely Internet subscribers will now need to defend themselves with the assumption that they are guilty until proven innocent. The new law indicates any subscriber that receives a copyright notice is "considered conclusive proof that infringement has occurred."
Legal experts in the United States have long pointed out that it's difficult to prove a file wasn't downloaded -- and foreign companies have inserted their influence into the New Zealand government.
Vivendi Universal, EMI, Sony BMG and Warner Music Group have been showing increased interest in New Zealand and other markets in which they can influence anti-piracy legislation.
This is becoming a common tactic by copyright groups looking to crack down on P2P piracy. As President Barack Obama's administration continues to receive input from former industry executives, additional crackdown on piracy and counterfeiting will continue to take place in the United States as well.
Britain, France and several other nations have embraced controversial three-strike policies that lead repeat file sharers to be booted off the Internet. French file sharers have already found ways to avoid detection when sharing files, and file sharing still runs rampant in the country (and across the EU).
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) now wants Japan to create a three-strikes law that would lead to possible Internet bans for repeat offenders.
The three strikes proposals and law battles will rage on into 2011 and beyond, with copyright groups only looking to continue their attack against piracy.
