Virgin Media, Sky and Talk Talk are asked to block Newzbin2

UK INTERNET SERVICES PROVIDERS Virgin Media, Sky and Talk Talk have been asked to block access to Newzbin2, just like BT.

The firms have confirmed that they have been asked to block the web site by the Motion Picture Association (MPA), an organisation that wants UK citizens barred from accessing filesharing destinations.

The news should not be that surprising. The MPA has already demanded that BT block access to the web site, and that firm finally agreed after resisting the request.

So far the firms are not taking this lightly, and have said that they will only block access to the web site if a court orders them to do so. "We have received a letter from the MPA asking whether we would object (in court) to an order for TalkTalk to block access to Newzbin," said Talk Talk in a statement. "We are considering our position since there are some objectionable elements to the proposed injunction."

Virgin Media agreed that it will only adhere to the request if forced to do so. "The recent Newzbin 2 ruling clarifies the legal process for content owners to challenge alleged copyright infringement," said a spokesman to our sister IT news web site V3.co.uk.

"As a responsible ISP we will comply with any court order addressed to us, but we strongly believe such deterrents need to be accompanied by compelling legal alternatives which give consumers access to content at the right price."

A spokesperson for Sky told the BBC that the firm will be likely to accept the request more readily if it is presented with the necessary encouragement.

"When presented with undisputed and legally robust evidence of copyright breaches, we will take appropriate action in respect to site blocking," said a Sky spokesman to the BBC. µ