Ah well, the Danes can take some comfort in knowing that the major record labels like them. The International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry has welcomed a decision by the Danish Supreme Court which will potentially put more responsibility onto internet service providers across Europe in policing the illegal sharing of copyright content online.
The case in question related to two individuals who operated FTP servers used for the illegal sharing of music. Denmark's AntiPiracyGroup, representing various content owners, argued that internet company TDC were obliged to cancel the accounts of the customers who were using their internet access to illegally share copyrighted music, and the country's Supreme Court yesterday agreed.
The decision was based on EU copyright laws, so the ruling possibly strengthens the case for content owners against internet service providers in other EU jurisdictions. The IFPI has already said that it wants internet service providers to take a more proactive role in policing the sharing of music online, and cases such as this show that the trade organisation may be able to force its will via the courts if necessary. To what extent the courts would be willing to extend the principle - ie what level of copyright violation would have to be proven before an ISP was obligate to act - remains to be seen.
Meanwhile, IFPI General Counsel and Executive Vice President Geoff Taylor told reporters yesterday: "This decision is good news for artists, record labels and copyright owners across the EU. It makes it clear that, in future, ISPs will be expected to play a much greater role in fighting copyright theft on the internet. It sends a strong message to ISPs across Europe."