New copyright law dealing with internet piracy announced
17 December 2009
The Government has released its recommendation for the new version of section 92A of New Zealand’s copyright law.
Under the newly proposed section 92A of the Copyright Act (1994):
- Copyright owners will contact account holders through internet service providers (ISPs) to report misuse of their copyright rights.
- Internet users caught illegally downloading copyright material will be given three warnings.
- The first warning will inform them that they have downloaded copyright material and that their actions are illegal.
- After three warnings, the rights holder can seek reparation costs of up to $15,000 through the Copyright Tribunal.
- Internet pirates who continue to download copyright material can also have their internet account suspended by their ISP for up to six months.
- Account holders will also have the right to request a hearing if they felt they were unfairly penalised.
Read the full set of recommendations in the Government’s Cabinet paper on illegal peer-to-peer file sharing:
http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentTOC____42332.aspx
