Sky confirms Newzbin2 block

UK TELEVISION AND INTERNET provider Sky has confirmed that it is now blocking file linking web site Newzbin2, after having said in November that it would do so.

The firm is joining a list of other internet service providers (ISPs) like BT that have been asked to block the web site by the Motion Picture Association and have confirmed that they are doing so.

In a release on the Sky web site, called Sky's approach to protecting copyright, the firm said that it knows the importance of protecting copyright because it has invested so much of its own money in content.

"Sky is a business which has invested billions of pounds in content for its customers. We do this because we know how much our customers value high-quality content. It's therefore imperative that companies like Sky do what they can, alongside Government and the rest of the media and technology industries, to help content companies protect their copyright," it says.

"Such protection will ensure that consumers continue to benefit from TV programmes, movies and music both now and in the future. This means taking effective action against online piracy and copyright theft."

Sky started blocking the web site on 13 December, having had a court order that compelled it to do so. "Increasingly content owners are turning to the courts to present evidence of copyright theft by those websites who offer content illegally to users," it explained.

"This happened with a website called Newzbin 2. We have received a court order requiring us to block access to this illegal website, which we did on 13th December, 2011."

Sky added that it will continue to honour any such requests and would take appropriate action with respect to web site blocking, "which will include complying with court orders".

Both Virgin Media and Talk Talk are expected to put up similar blocks of Newzbin2, and we have asked them to confirm whether they will announce those actions soon. µ