Dutch internet service providers KPN, Tele2, UPC, T-Mobile and Telfort have been ordered by a court in The Hague to block access to file-sharing website site The Pirate Bay.

XS4ALL and Ziggo had been already been banned from giving access to the torrent site, in order to prevent illegal downloads. The other providers refused to follow suit and were taken to court by copyright watchdog Stichting Brein.
Brein described the ruling as ‘a good one for innovation and creativity’. It also claims the court has banned websites from publishing alternative links to the Pirate Bay, overruling an earlier court decision.
Policing
The providers can appeal against the court decision. They have always fought against the restrictions, arguing it is not their job to police the internet.
The ban is due to come into effect on May 20.
On Tuesday, the senate voted in favour of the new Dutch Telecom law which prevents internet service providers from blocking access to websites unless ordered to do so by the courts.
Bits of Freedom, a Dutch foundation which fights for citizens’ internet rights, said the Brein campaign is a ‘lawsuit without end’. A fundamental solution for the problem is needed and internet companies should not be required to block access to websites on copyright grounds, the organisation told the Volkskrant.