Pirates could get letter in May
The owners of the Hollywood film Dallas Buyers Club could start the process of sending out letters to alleged Australian pirates next month.
In a follow-up hearing in Sydney today following a landmark judgment earlier this month, Eastern States media reported the film's owners have set a May 6 date for iiNet, and other service providers such as Dodo, to hand over the personal details of the people it alleges illegally downloaded the Hollywood film.
The deadline comes after last month's Federal Court hearing where iiNet lost the case to stop Dallas Buyers Club, and its parent Voltage Pictures, accessing the information.
The decision opened a can of worms on the pirating and copyright issues in Australia, with some arguing judgement would become the high-water mark for Australia's golden age of piracy.
It was reported today Dallas Buyers Club lawyers would submit a draft template of the letters it proposed to send to alleged copyright infringers before May 6 - a pre-requisite ordered by the court in its judgement.
It means Australians who downloaded the film through the listed service providers could receive a letter in the mail as soon as next month, if the judge approves its content.
The Federal Court stipulated this measure - after argument from iiNet's lawyers - to stop a process known as "speculative invoicing" where copyright owners send a letter demanding a settlement payment to avoid legal action.
A further directions hearing is set for next week.
