The MPA asserted that the sites facilitated copyright infringement, allowing people to watch TV and movies without paying for it. It initially went to providers directly to ask them to block the site, but such requests are typically refused. Partly because there needs to be a legal reason to implement a block by default, but also because blocking sites is very expensive for providers. According to tech site ISPReview, an unopposed application to block costs as much as £14,000 per site. Plus those blocks have to be maintained, at a cost of around £3,600 a year per site, so it's easy to see why providers are resistant to such action. But they do have to comply with a court order. The MPS launched an injunction against the providers, so they are required to block access to eight sites: Putlocker, Putlocker Plus, MerDB, Couchtuner, Rainierland, Vidics, Watchfree and Xmovies8. A spokesperson for the MPA said: "Court orders are used to target illegal websites whose sole purpose is to make money off the back of other's people content while paying nothing back to the legitimate economy. We want an Internet that works for everyone, where the creative property of artists and creators is protected along with the privacy and security of all users. "The internet must be a place for investment, innovation and creativity. The MPA will continue to use this proportionate measure to tackle sites overwhelmingly dedicated to facilitating and promoting online copyright infringement." Source: ISPReview | Independent Read more broadband, TV and mobile news Stay up to date with the latest news: Follow us on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ How would you rate broadbandchoices? Help us improve by writing a review
The High Court has ordered broadband providers, including TalkTalk, BT, Virgin Media and Sky, to restrict access to pirate-friendly streaming sites following a complaint from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPA). In its complaint, filed in December, MPA said that it had been unable to find any evidence that pirate websites were being blocked by ISPs or content providers because they did not want their customers accessing them. Initially the MPA went direct to providers to request they block access to sites such as Putlocker and Couchtuner, but such requests are often refused due to the cost of doing so and lack of compelling legal reason, however, the firms do need to comply with a court order. According to ISP Review, an unopposed application to block can cost as much as £14,000 per site plus around £3,600 a year to maintain the block.