BlackOutIreland
March 5th, 2009
The IRMA (Irish Recorded Music Association) wants to block access to certain websites by Irish Internet users.
They have written letters (Michele at Blacknight has published one of the letters) to Irish Internet providers telling them, under threat of legal action, to allow IRMA to tell them what websites to block. Meteor and Eircom has already agreed to this.
Taking inspiration from the recent recent internet blackout campaign in New Zealand, Blackout Ireland has been set up to campagin against internet censorship in the Republic of Ireland.
“Blackout Ireland believe that this deal could set a dangerous precedent of internet censorship by private companies, as it enables the Irish Recorded Music Association (IRMA) to ban someone’s internet access without due legal process.
Under the terms of the settlement, Eircom will disconnect users suspected of illegally downloading music based on evidence supplied by IRMA and without the need for a court of law. IRMA have also revealed that they will seek to block websites such as the Pirate Bay that they suspect of providing illegal downloads.
What can I do?
- Please contact your Internet service provider (ISP).
- Please contact the TD for your constituency.
- Please contact Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan TD
- Take part in Blackout Week
Further Information on these points is on BlackoutIreland.com
What is particularly sinister about the Eircom/IRMA settlement is that it is based on
“Guilt upon Accusation” – no proof is necessary nor is it possible to appeal. (James Cooley.ie)
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