Protests have started in New Zealand after its government passed a controversial 'three strikes' file-sharing bill on Thursday.
The Copyright (Infringing File Sharing) Bill allows copyright owners to send evidence of alleged infringements to ISPs, who will then send up to three infringement notices to the account holder. If the alleged offending continues, the copyright owner can take a claim to the Copyright Tribunal, which can fine the account holder up to NZ$15,000 (£7,300).
The bill includes a power for a district court to suspend an internet account for up to six months, in appropriate circumstances. However, this is only intended to be used if the notice process and actions by the Copyright Tribunal prove ineffective.
For more on this ZDNet UK-selected story, see NZ passes 'three strikes' copyright law on ZDNet Australia.
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