BT, the U.K.’s largest Internet Service Provider, has been granted a stay of execution by the U.K. High Court in its challenge to efforts by rights holders seeking customer information without strong evidence of copyright infringement.
Chief master Winegarten granted BT an adjournment Oct. 4 to a court order by solicitors acting on behalf of the U.K. dance label Ministry of Sound. The order would have required BT to provide details of customers that had been accused of infringing copyright.
BT said it requires clear evidence of infringement before handing over customer details.
The broadband provider has been concerned about the leaking online of personal details of customers that have been gathered by law firms acting for rights holders. The Information Commissioner is investigating the recent leak of customer details gathered by ACS:Law.
BT told the Guardian: “The incident involving the ACS:Law data leak has further damaged people’s confidence in the current process. We’re pleased that the court has agreed to an adjournment so that our concerns can be examined by the court, this will then act as a precedent/test case for the future.
“We want to ensure broadband subscribers are adequately protected so that rights holders can pursue their claims for copyright infringement without causing unnecessary worry to innocent people. We have not simply consented to these orders in the past, we have asked for stricter terms as public concern has risen. The data leak with ACS:Law prompted us to take further action today. We are also seeking a moratorium on outstanding applications and orders.”
ACS:Law is also facing legal action from those it accused of infringing copyright, who say they have been wrongly identified and the action from the firm amounts to harassment.
