UPDATE Rights Holders Want Big UK ISPs to Block EZTV and Yify-Torrents

Some of the country’s broadband ISPs have told ISPreview.co.uk that Rights Holders are putting pressure on them to prevent their broadband customers from being able to access two extra website (EZTV and Yify-Torrents), which have both been accused of facilitating internet copyright infringement (piracy).

The development was first suggested by Recombu and we promptly set about attempting to confirm exactly what the situation was, although unfortunately none of the major providers were willing to discuss the specifics; at least not until after a court order had been received.

It is normal practice for Rights Holders, such as the MPA or British Phonographic Industry (UK music industry), to ask ISPs to block the sites voluntarily before later seeking an appropriate injunction (court order) under Section 97A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. ISPs generally don’t comment until this later stage has been reached.

A Spokesperson for VirginMedia told ISPreview.co.uk:

“As a responsible ISP, Virgin Media complies with court orders addressed to the company.”

Recently both Rights Holders and ISPs have been much swifter at both obtaining the necessary court order and then implementing a block. For example, the Download4All and Movie2k websites were both dealt with very quickly (here) and the same could end up being true of EZTV and Yify-Torrents.

Separately it’s known that the BPI are investigating a further 25 websites that could soon become its next targets (here). The effectiveness of such methods, which are easy to circumvent, is often questioned but politicians and rights holders still see it as a viable way of tackling at least casual infringement (though it probably won’t inhibit the hard-core pirates).

UPDATE 21st June 2013

We haven’t previously heard back from BT about this matter but their reply did finally come in last night and interestingly they make a specific claim about not being asked to voluntarily block the above websites. BT, as the country’s biggest home broadband provider, is often the first to be targeted by Rights Holders.

A BT Spokesperson said:

“BT has not been asked to voluntarily block these websites. BT will not block any website for internet copyright infringement without a court order requiring it to do so.”

1. hmmm

   June 19, 2013 at 2:03 pm

   fail
2. Timeless

   June 19, 2013 at 6:14 pm

   l must admit eztv is one of the few sites l use, but considering my personal vpn it wont impact my access whatsoever lol.
3. Richard

   June 19, 2013 at 7:31 pm

   What and how do you set up a personal VPN? Is there a cost?
   • I got 1

     June 22, 2013 at 9:53 am

     Cost from £3 a month, set up is install a piece of software and put in your username+pass word one time.

     Make sure they don’t log connections, such a VPN completely negates the point of having a VPN, some providers are on your side, some aren’t.

     Some names: PrivatVPN, Torrentprivacy, ipredator, privacy IO, mulvad, VPN tunnel.

     Read their faqs etc carefully, because some lie about logging.

     See article ‘Which VPN Service Providers Really Take Anonymity Seriously?’
4. Roberto

   June 20, 2013 at 10:21 am

   LOL EZTV has a few mirrors ill place bets they forget to block at least one of them.
5. GraphiX

   July 25, 2013 at 8:32 pm

   IF your on virgin/BT or any other UK ISP call them up and complain you need to pay 6 pounds for a VPN service per month tell them you want 6 pounds off your internet bill as this covers the cost of the VPN else your leaving to plusnet who doesn’t block websites.

   i just got £8.50 per month of my bill and every monthly bill.
   they are getting that many calls now from people who’s not happy.

   This is exactly whats going to happen now customers are paying for super fast broadband and having nothing to use it on.

   Soon it’s going to be pointless having 100mbit or even 60mbit connections in the UK since there’s sod all we can use it with now.

   Well just thought i’d help you out i’m now a little happier
6. martin

   July 26, 2013 at 2:05 am

   I’m surprised Plusnet don’t block as their are owned by BT so I would of thought they use the same blocking software, But I am not paying BT £150 to install a line just so I can pay another ISP who might block in the future.

   I agree with the point of 60/100mb though and its not like its cheap either my package with VM is £80month and for that I get crappy Serivce, poor Customer Service all based in INDIA with oh just reboot the router, or its your computer Sir, Not our Network

   I use TOR and also use serveral proxies to get around the blocks it is just damn well anoying, Why should I be penalised for something when its the Movies & TV companies who charge a fourtune for DVD/Blu-Ray same with Music CD’s it’s all a RIP off,

   Mind you Sony PS3 with their crappy software to block illegal movies / or legit backups being played is just as bad. I will not be buying a PS4 for that reason.

   ISP’s stop blocking access to sites that aren’t even RUN in the UK
7. aj

   October 10, 2013 at 10:57 pm

   Martin well said also I d/l movies to aviod the cinemas and if the movies any good id place it on my vip rack of dvds/blu rays purchased when released. Not my fault the fact that the following happens

   1.new film comes to cinema. …pay to watch it
   2.dvd…pay to own it
   3.digital …pay to buy it off apple/ps3 xbox/google ect which is rented

   See were im going with this?
   These companies need to adapt

   Yet

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