High Court Orders Big UK ISPs to Block Cyberlocker Website

The High Court has ordered six of the UK’s largest broadband ISPs – Sky Broadband, BT, Plusnet, TalkTalk, Virgin Media and EE – to block customers from accessing a website called Mixdrop, which is described as a “cyberlocker” that facilitated internet piracy (copyright infringement) by allowing users to stream or download TV and film content.

Such blocking orders, which are supported by Section 97A of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (CDPA), tend to be expensive to bring but have in recent years become very common. Hundreds of websites have been blocked through this approach (thousands if you include their many proxies and mirrors), which usually include file sharing (P2P / Torrent), video streaming sites, Sci-Hub and those that sell counterfeit goods etc.

In this case the High Court granted an application made on behalf of Columba Pictures, Disney Enterprises, Netflix Studios, Paramount Pictures, Universal City Studios, Warner Bros – collectively represented by the Motion Picture Association (MPA) – and also Sky. The Mixdrop site was also said to be a “major provider of stolen Sky and other paid TV offerings.”

While there have been more than a few applications like this made by the MPA and others in the UK, this is said to be the first time an order has been granted in the UK against a cyberlocker hosting TV film and TV content. Most cyberlockers are just fairly linear online file storage services, but Mixdrop appears to have gone much further than that (it doesn’t look much like a cyberlocker).

A Sky spokesperson said:

“We’re really pleased with this decision. It confirms that these types of sites are acting illegally, blocks access to one of the most prolific providers of stolen Sky content and ultimately helps keep consumers safe from the very real risks of accessing content in this way.”

An MPA EMEA spokesperson said:

“We welcome this decision from the High Court which represents a first for the film and TV industry. Cyberlocker and stream-ripping sites make available vast amounts of copyright protected film and television content for streaming and/or downloading, making millions in the process.

Site blocking continues to be an effective way of halting the spread of online piracy. Piracy affects everyone involved in the creative process – from the filmmakers to the makeup artists. It also adversely affects consumers, exposing them to malware, identity theft and fraud. This verdict comes perfectly timed to celebrate Safer Internet Day on 8 February.”

Despite the ease by which such blocks can be circumvented by internet users, Rights Holders often still deem them to be useful as part of their wider efforts to discourage casual piracy. Some studies (example) have similarly suggested that sites blocked in this way tend to result in increased traffic going to legal alternatives. But this may be countered as content in the legal streaming market becomes increasingly fragmented across multiple platforms, not to mention these are becoming much more expensive.

The ISPs now have 10 days to comply with the order and block the site.