by NUS Law Research Blog — 30 October 2023
Professor Graeme Austin contends that New Zealand (NZ) should enact dedicated legislation empowering courts to issue “site-blocking orders” against internet intermediaries, primarily targeting internet service providers (ISPs). These orders mandate ISPs to restrict access to websites that facilitate the unauthorised distribution of intellectual property (IP)-protected material.
While a 2018 Issues Paper from the NZ government suggested that the authority to issue such orders might be inherent in the NZ High Court’s powers, the paper advocates for a more proactive approach. It argues that instead of relying on the court’s inherent powers, it would be preferable to adopt specific legislation for site-blocking, akin to the approach taken in Singapore with the enactment of the Copyright (Amendment) Act 2014.
Click here to read on about Graeme Austin’s advocacy for the implementation of dedicated legislation that empowers courts to issue injunctions against internet intermediaries!