Omari Gates
In 2017, movie studios attempted to block a further 74 piracy sites in Australia, including Megashare, to prevent Australians from streaming or downloading movies and television shows for free. This followed a ruling that granted studios like Roadshow Films, Disney Studios, Warner Bros and Twentieth Century Fox the right to request internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to sites that people used to download movies and TV shows without paying. This move was an attempt to curb online copyright infringement, which is a serious issue in Australia. Torrenting, a popular method for downloading copyrighted material, is not inherently illegal, but it can lead to legal trouble if the downloaded material is copyrighted. Australia has a reputation for high rates of illegal downloads, with a 2015 report ranking Australians as the second-most common perpetrators of illegal downloads worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is Megashare illegal in Australia? | Megashare is a piracy site that is blocked by Australian internet providers. |
| Why is it blocked? | It provides easy access to copyright works of others, often for free. |
| What are the consequences of using such sites? | Legal trouble as most downloaded material is copyrighted by default and downloading it is not permitted. |
| What is the Australian government's stance on this? | The Australian government supports flexible, fair, and workable approaches to reduce online infringement and protect intellectual property. |
| What are ISPs doing about it? | Many ISPs are working their way through the courts to block certain websites that host torrenting parties. |
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What You'll Learn
- Megashare is one of 74 sites that movie studios want blocked
- Studios want to stop Australians from streaming/downloading for free
- Australia is infamous for torrenting, with a high rate of illegal downloads
- ISPs are vulnerable to copyright claims from film and music publishers
- Copyright holders can reference the Copyright Amendment Bill of 2015
Megashare is one of 74 sites that movie studios want blocked
In 2017, a collection of eight movie studios wanted up to 135 pirating sites, including Megashare, to be blocked by Australian internet providers. This was because these sites allowed users to stream or download movies and television shows for free, which is a form of online copyright infringement. The studios in question included Roadshow Films, Disney Studios, Warner Bros, and Twentieth Century Fox.
This was not the first time that movie studios had attempted to block Megashare. In 2014, a group of Hollywood movie studios won a case in London's High Court, requiring major broadband ISPs to block their customers from accessing Megashare, Viooz, Watch32, and Zmovie. These sites were found to be facilitating internet copyright infringement (piracy).
The 2017 case in Australia was a result of the studios trying to stay ahead of pirating sites, which often change names or web addresses to avoid blocks. The list of 74 new sites included KissCartoon, WatchFree, PrimeWire, Phimmoi, 123Movies, FMovies, EYNY, and Spacemov. The web addresses of these sites indicated that they were registered in places such as Antigua and Barbuda, Estonia, Sweden, Tonga, and the Cocos Keeling Islands.
The next hearing was set for March 23, 2017. A spokesman for Telstra stated that they would comply with any orders from the court, as they had done previously. A spokeswoman for Optus also stated that they supported the December court order and would comply with any future orders.
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Studios want to stop Australians from streaming/downloading for free
Movie studios have been taking legal action to prevent Australians from streaming or downloading movies and television shows for free. Piracy websites are a huge problem for the film industry, and studios are trying to stay ahead of them by blocking access to these sites. In 2017, a group of eight movie studios, including Roadshow Films, Disney Studios, Warner Bros, and Twentieth Century Fox, succeeded in a legal move to block access to 61 piracy websites. The studios then sought to block an additional 74 sites, including Megashare, bringing the total number of blocked sites to 135.
Piracy websites often change their names or web addresses to avoid blocks, making it challenging for studios to keep up. However, by working with internet service providers (ISPs), studios can take legal action to block access to these sites in Australia. This approach has been supported by some ISPs, such as Optus, who have complied with court orders to block piracy websites.
The issue of online copyright infringement is a serious one for movie studios, and they argue that piracy is no different from stealing physical goods or sneaking into a movie theater without paying. Paying for content is crucial for the survival of content creation, and studios are encouraging respect for copyright laws to protect their intellectual property. Studios believe that blocking piracy websites will help reduce online infringement and protect their rights as content creators.
While some people may argue that streaming or downloading movies for free is harmless, it is essential to consider the impact on the film industry and content creators. Piracy can result in significant losses for studios and can hinder their ability to fund new projects and pay content creators. As a result, studios are taking a stand to protect their interests and ensure that consumers have access to legitimate and high-quality content.
To conclude, movie studios are determined to stop Australians from streaming or downloading movies and television shows for free by blocking access to piracy websites. This legal action is supported by ISPs and is aimed at reducing online copyright infringement and protecting the interests of content creators and the film industry as a whole. While some may disagree with these measures, it is essential to recognize the negative impact of piracy on the film industry and the importance of supporting legitimate content access.
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Australia is infamous for torrenting, with a high rate of illegal downloads
Torrenting is a method of peer-to-peer file exchange that enables users to download and distribute large files, such as movies and TV series, efficiently. While torrenting itself is not illegal in Australia, it is often used to download copyrighted material without permission, which is against the law.
Australia has gained an infamous reputation when it comes to torrenting, as a high proportion of illegal downloads occur within its borders. In 2015, a report by the global accounting firm EY highlighted that Australians were the second-most common perpetrators of illegal downloads worldwide. This is despite Australia's relatively small population compared to other developed countries, with 24.6 million people as of 2017.
One notable example of Australia's tendency for illegal downloads was the finale of the popular TV show Breaking Bad in 2013, where the country accounted for 18% of over half a million illegal downloads within 12 hours. Additionally, a 2014 poll indicated that 29% of Australian adults admitted to engaging in piracy by downloading illegal media within the previous year.
To combat the issue of online copyright infringement, media companies and movie studios have pursued legal actions. In 2017, a group of eight movie studios sought to block access to up to 135 piracy sites in Australia, including well-known names such as Putlocker, Kinogo, and Megashare. These efforts aimed to prevent Australians from streaming or downloading movies and television shows illegally for free.
The Australian government has also taken steps to address the issue, imposing a nation-wide ban on torrenting websites to prevent access to pirated content. While torrenting may not be inherently illegal, it often leads to copyright infringement, which can result in criminal liability if conducted on a large scale for profit.
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ISPs are vulnerable to copyright claims from film and music publishers
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have been the subject of litigation concerning copyright infringement for some time. ISPs are vulnerable to copyright claims from film and music publishers due to their role in hosting, transmitting, or publishing user-supplied content. Early court cases focused on whether ISPs could be held liable for this type of content under civil or criminal law. While the debate has shifted towards whether online intermediaries should be generally responsible for content accessible through their services, the question of liability remains unresolved.
ISPs have argued that they are merely providing the tools for users to upload content and that the direct infringer is the client. However, courts have found ISPs liable for contributory infringement, indicating that they can be held responsible for copyright infringement without proof that they fostered or promoted it. This has been a growing concern for ISPs, as they may be vulnerable to substantial damages if these cases are resolved in favor of the record industry.
In the context of Australia, movie studios have sought to block access to piracy sites, including Megashare, by requesting that ISPs take "reasonable steps" to prevent Australians from streaming or downloading movies and television shows for free. This has led to Australian courts blocking access to numerous piracy sites to protect intellectual property.
To mitigate their liability, ISPs can designate an agent to receive notifications of claimed infringement and take down allegedly infringing materials in response to requests from copyright owners. However, this process has been criticized for lacking an appeal mechanism for broadband customers who may be unjustly accused. Overall, the issue of ISP liability for copyright infringement remains complex and ongoing, with potential implications for internet users' privacy and access to information.
In summary, ISPs are vulnerable to copyright claims from film and music publishers due to their role in facilitating the distribution of user-generated content. While ISPs have argued that they are not directly responsible for infringements, courts have held them liable in certain cases. This has led to efforts by ISPs to mitigate their liability and by content creators to block access to piracy sites. The ongoing nature of litigation in this area highlights the complexity of balancing the rights of copyright holders with those of internet intermediaries and users.
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Copyright holders can reference the Copyright Amendment Bill of 2015
While I cannot find specific information on the legality of Megashare in Australia, the website is mentioned in a 2017 news article as one of the piracy sites that movie studios were trying to get blocked by Australian internet providers. This was part of an effort to stop Australians from streaming or downloading movies and TV shows for free. The article also mentions that these sites often change their names or web addresses to avoid blocks, indicating that they are engaging in illegal activities.
In terms of copyright law in Australia, copyright holders can reference the Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Act 2015, which was enacted following a public submissions process and forum in 2014. This Act enables website blocking injunctions to be applied to search engine providers and carriage service providers, broadening the range of infringing websites that can be addressed through website blocking orders. The Act also allows the Federal Court to make more responsive blocking orders.
The Australian government has demonstrated a commitment to reviewing and updating copyright laws to address online infringement and protect intellectual property. For example, in 2018, the government reviewed the 2015 amendments and enacted the Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Act that year. Additionally, in 2021, the government released an exposure draft of the Copyright Amendment (Access Reform) Bill, seeking input from individuals and organisations on potential reforms.
It is important to note that copyright laws in Australia are subject to periodic reviews and updates, and copyright holders should stay informed about the latest legislation and amendments to ensure their rights are protected. While the 2015 Act provided enhanced powers to block infringing websites, copyright holders can also refer to subsequent amendments and bills, such as the Copyright Amendment (Service Providers) Bill 2017, to understand the current measures in place to address online infringement.
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Frequently asked questions
Megashare is a piracy site that was blocked by Australian internet providers in 2017. The site was blocked by internet providers after movie studios succeeded in their legal move to stop Australians from streaming or downloading movies and television shows for free.
Piracy is a type of file sharing. Most downloaded material using piracy sites is copyrighted by default, so downloading it is not permitted. Piracy is often associated with torrenting, which is a popular way to download files illegally.
Torrenting itself is not illegal, but downloading copyrighted material without permission is. Australia has a problem with torrenting, with a high proportion of illegal downloads occurring within its borders.
To avoid legal trouble when torrenting, you can use a VPN to protect your privacy and avoid copyright infringement claims.
