Consumer group CHOICE says Australia’s outdated copyright laws could leave Australians liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
"Under our current copyright laws - people could be liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Real life changing amounts,” CHOICE spokesperson Erin Turner told SBS.
She said when the same company launched a similar bid in the US, it sent aggressive “pay or else” letters to customers telling them pay thousands of dollars or risk costly court action.
"What these companies are banking on is that you don't want to go to court," she said. "It’s plain and simple, extortion."
CHOICE said anyone who received a letter demanding payment should contact them, or seek legal advice.
Film industry advocates welcomes ruling
The Intellectual Property Awareness Foundation (IPAF) said piracy was on the rise.
"People think it is just a digital file and it has no impact," IPAF’s Lori Flekser said. "They see their behaviour in a very individual way,”
“Piracy is not a victimless crime, there is an impact both on local industry and the global industry."
She said eventually pirates too would lose out, with filmmakers unable to afford to make original content for us to watch.
Share
