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Australia’s Federal Court has ordered the nation’s internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to BitTorrent website KickassTorrents.
Justice Burley heard the case in October 2016 and ruled on Friday, April 28 that KickassTorrents’ primary purpose is copyright infringement and therefore it must be blocked by all Australian ISPs by Friday, May 12.
“The online location provides explanations for how to use the site, how to upload content for other users to download by means of the BitTorrent protocol,” he said.
He added that it “provides a mechanism for users to request that particular content be uploaded and made available free of charge”.
The ruling to order ISPs to block the site is only the second such ruling in Australia’s history.
The decision to ban KickassTorrents follows similar decisions against the site by courts in the UK, US and India.
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copyright, BitTorrent, Australia, Australia Federal Court, streaming, KickAssTorrents, ISPs
