Internet Police

I work for a major internet service provider, for the last 8 years we've been stuck in an epic legal battle with both the FBI and most Hollywood production companies. Why? Because they want us to monitor every byte of data which comes through our servers and then alert them to any illegal activity (namely pirating). Not only that but they want us store each and every byte of data on our servers so they can access it for legal purposes without a warrant, an operation which would cost us tens of millions of dollars. And no they aren't willing to foot the bill.

The last time we were taken to court the Supreme Court ruled that it was against Australia's privacy policies to force something like this from a company, let alone monitor its own clients. They are taking us to court again now after we walked out of negotiations because they weren't giving 'reasonable' demands.

So do you think that the FBI and Hollywood has the right to dictate what a privately run company in a completely different country operates? Also do you think its reasonable for them to demand that all Australian citizens are monitored online?

If the Supreme Court said it breached privacy laws the first time what has changed now? The privacy laws remain the same they. Are they appealing the decision?

Quoting THE KATIE PRICE:" If the Supreme Court said it breached privacy laws the first time what has changed now? The privacy laws remain the same they. Are they appealing the decision?"

This is their third attempting at appealing the decision, they're hoping that the legal costs will get so large that MM (our CEO) will just give into their demands.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Destiel:</b>" This is their third attempting at appealing the decision, they're hoping that the legal costs will get so large that MM (our CEO) will just give into their demands."</blockquote>




Are they taking it to the high court?

Quoting THE KATIE PRICE:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Destiel:</b>" This is their third attempting at appealing the ... [snip!] ... get so large that MM (our CEO) will just give into their demands."</blockquote> Are they taking it to the high court?"

that's who they've been appealing through.

This is the news article from the last appeal.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/iinet-wins-piracy-case-against-tv-and-film-companies/story-e6frfro0-1226334150352

Quoting Destiel:" that's who they've been appealing through. This is the news article from the last appeal. http:// ... [snip!] ... appeal. http://www.news.com.au/technology/iinet-wins-piracy-case-against-tv-and-film-companies/story-e6frfro0-1226334150352"

This article also only puts the battle at roughly 5 years now ... the last one I read said 8. I'm not sure which one is the truth

<blockquote><b>Quoting Destiel:</b>" that's who they've been appealing through. This is the news article from the last appeal. http:// ... [snip!] ... appeal. http://www.news.com.au/technology/iinet-wins-piracy-case-against-tv-and-film-companies/story-e6frfro0-1226334150352"</blockquote>




But the appeal was dismissed 5-0. I don't think you can appeal again.

Quoting THE KATIE PRICE:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Destiel:</b>" that's who they've been appealing through. This ... [snip!] ... But the appeal was dismissed 5-0. I don't think you can appeal again."

we're going back to court next month ... there was a staff meeting about it

<blockquote><b>Quoting Destiel:</b>" we're going back to court next month ... there was a staff meeting about it"</blockquote>




I thought you could only appeal to the high court once, there's nothing beyond it. But hey I'm remembering from yr 12 legal studies! An appeal can be taken to the high court after an appeal is lost in the federal court, it's the last step.
Have you been there?! I've sat in on a few hearings its pretty cool and the building is beautiful!

Quoting THE KATIE PRICE:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Destiel:</b>" we're going back to court next month ... there ... [snip!] ... court, it's the last step. Have you been there?! I've sat in on a few hearings its pretty cool and the building is beautiful!"

No I haven't been but I would love to. I honestly have no idea how it works, only that they're appealing again after we walked out of the negotiations.

<blockquote><b>Quoting Destiel:</b>" No I haven't been but I would love to. I honestly have no idea how it works, only that they're appealing again after we walked out of the negotiations."</blockquote>




It's a beautiful building, it's also physically the 'highest' court in australia. Anyone can sit in! You have to bow at the judge lol.

How annoying! It would mean a change in Australian laws if they won?!

Quoting THE KATIE PRICE:" <blockquote><b>Quoting Destiel:</b>" No I haven't been but I would love to. I honestly ... [snip!] ... Anyone can sit in! You have to bow at the judge lol. How annoying! It would mean a change in Australian laws if they won?!"

Yeah. This is the latest article being thrown around work

http://torrentfreak.com/isp-walks-out-of-piracy-talks-were-not-the-internet-police-121217/


The bit that scares me the most is that American ISP's are already doing this

<blockquote><b>Quoting Destiel:</b>" Yeah. This is the latest article being thrown around work http://torrentfreak.com/isp-walks-out-o ... [snip!] ... The bit that scares me the most is that American ISP's are already doing this"</blockquote>




It's scary I agree, but I apppreciated the company's stance that pirating was a symptom of a lack of availability of cheap movies here!

No, I don't think it's reasonable. Stories like this piss me off, people wanting to monitor everyones internet usage and doing smurf without warrants. It reminds me of this story I read a while ago ... They want to store everything everyone does online for 2 years.:

http://www.news.com.au/technology/govt-defends-need-to-keep-internet-data/story-e6frfro0-1226424390925

Also you said the legal costs are really high fighting this. Would you guys get awarded costs when you win?

Quoting Blah:" No, I don't think it's reasonable. Stories like this piss me off, people wanting to monitor everyones ... [snip!] ... Also you said the legal costs are really high fighting this. Would you guys get awarded costs when you win?"

Legal costs are huge ... so far sitting at around $9 million.