3 Count: Sky’s the Limit

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1: Sky’s Pirate Site-Blocking Move is Something For North Korea, ISPs Say

First off today, Andy at Torrentfreak writes that, in New Zealand, Sky TV has filed a complaint with a high court seeking an injunction against several local internet service providers (ISPs) that would force them to block access to a list of pirate websites.

The ISPs, Spark, Vodafone, Vocus and Two Degrees, control approximately 90% of the New Zealand market. As such, any injunction would effect almost the entire country. However, those ISPs are also fighting back against the proposed injunction, calling it a “gross censorship” and a violation of net neutrality.

Sky has responded to those allegations saying hat there are similar laws in the UK and Australia and that they have had no detrimental effect. However, there are questions as to whether the court even has the ability to order such an injunction, casting doubt on its prospects.

2: Sky Television Claims Win in Piracy Fight Securing Interim Injunction

Next up today, Tom Pullar-Strecker at StuffNZ reports that, the same day news about its attempts to have pirate sites blocked broke, Sky has won an injunction against a local company that it accuses of selling “fully loaded” Kodi boxes.

Sky had previously launched legal action against two separate companies that sold the boxes, My Box and FibreTV. According to Sky, the boxes were sold with the intent of allowing consumers to access pirated content, including Sky’s content, and it sought an injunction to prevent the sale.

Sky now reports that the court has awarded an injunction against FibrreTV along with court costs. The court case against My Box has been pushed back until March.

3: Music Streaming Royalty Rates Going Up Slightly in 2018

Finally today, Ed Chrisman at Billboard reports that the Copyright Royalty Board has set a cost of living adjustment to the royalties that will be paid in 2018 to master recording copyright holders when their music is streamed.

In 2017, the rate was $0.0017 per stream for ad-suppoted, non-subscription streaming services and $0.0022 for paid subscription services. Now, the rates will be rising to $0.0018 and $0.0023 respectively.

This will likely be just the first in a series of rate determinations as it is expected to set similar adjustments across all of the royalties it oversees.

Suggestions

That’s it for the three count today. We will be back tomorrow with three more copyright links. If you have a link that you want to suggest a link for the column or have any proposals to make it better. Feel free to leave a comment or send me an email. I hope to hear from you.

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