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Plans to web-block move forward in Singapore

By | Published on Thursday 3 July 2014

Singapore Law Ministry

Content owners in Singapore are hoping that new laws allowing web-blocking could be enacted by the end of the year.

As previously reported, web-blocking, whereby rights owners force internet service providers to block access to websites that enable copyright infringement, is being used in an increasing number of countries as part of the battle against online piracy.

In some countries the blocks have been secured in court under existing copyright legislation, whereas in others new laws have been necessary. Law-makers in Singapore were reported to be considering such new rules earlier this year.

And, according to The Straits Times, a public consultation on web-blocking in the island nation has now been completed, with rights owners responding very favourably to the proposals, which would enable web-block injunctions to be secured in just two months.

Obviously web-blocking has its opponents – with critics pointing out that blocks are easily circumvented – but the mood in Singapore currently seems to be that this is a measure worth introducing.



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