Minister for Research and Innovation Sean Sherlock’s proposed statutory instrument (SI) bringing Irish copyright law into line with EU directives looks set to be signed into law without alteration following a debate in the Dail last night. The SI, it has been argued, could give record labels the ability to shut down websites they believe have been facilitating piracy. The wording had also been criticised for being too vague, providing too little guidance to the judiciary in assessing possible knowck-on effects of decisions on the digital economy.
In his speech, Minister Sherlock argued that it was up to record labels and Internet service providers to negotiate a standard process whereby rightsholders could protect their work without having to seek High Court injunctions, the cost of which can be prohibitive and the results not guaranteed.
The Minister also made the point that under EU law websites like discussion forums cannot be shut down as they provide a valuable platform for freedom of expression.
FF TD Willie O’Dea argued that the relevant EU directive was itself out of date. Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris said the debate was meaningless as the Minister had already decided to sign the order.
A full account of the debate can be read on TheJournal.ie.
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