iiNet lodges Federal Court defence

iiNet has lodged its defence in the Federal Court over allegations the internet service provider authorised customers to download films in breach of copyright laws.

The announcement is below:

5 February 2009 - iiNet (ASX:IIN) is expected to lodge its defence in the Federal Court later today in anticipation of the Court's next directions hearing on Friday to deal with a selection of film and television industry organisations alleging that iiNet authorised customers to download films in breach of copyright laws.

iiNet does not in any way support, or encourage, breaches of the law, including infringement of copyright.

To the contrary, iiNet is leading the industry by making legal content available in our ever-growing Media Lounge, in association with the rights owners.

iiNet is expected to announce a major new and significant expansion of its free online content in coming weeks.

iiNet already has agreements with, and makes content available freely to its customers from iTunes, ABC iView, Xbox 360, ninemsn, the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, Cruizin', Macquarie Digital TV, NASA Television, Barclays Premier League football, Drift Racing 2007, classic highlights of golf's four Majors and almost 70 radio stations.

iiNet has, and always will, abide by the law. We forward allegations of illegal activity involving services connected to our network on to the relevant law enforcement agencies for their attention.

The law currently provides a process for investigating copyright theft or any other illegal activity using the internet. AFACT did not use this process.

iiNet's Customer Relations Agreement clearly spells out that customers must comply with the law and that our service must not be used "to commit an offence or to infringe another person's rights".