EMI, Universal, Sony and Warner had put aside competition issues recently to co-operate on a case against UPC and their refusal to implement Eircoms three strikes rule for illegal file sharers.
Today the ruling went in favour of UPC, but not by the strongest means, The judge made it very clear that morally an injunction would be justified but that the Irish legislature had failed in its obligation to confer on the courts the right to grant such an injunction unlike other EU states.
Mr Willie Kavanagh, Chairman of IRMA said
“We are extremely disappointed that the High Court today has effectively determined that the Irish State has failed to protect the constitutional rights of copyright holders , by failing to implement EU Copyright directives correctly”.
Dick Doyle, Director General of IRMA added
“The High Court has acknowledged that Irish artists, composers and recording companies are sustaining huge losses and internet providers are profiting from the wholesale theft of music.
We will now look to the Irish Government to fully vindicate the constitutional rights of Copyright holders and we reserve the right to seek compensation for the past and continuing losses from the State”.