EMI is suing the Irish government for not tackling music piracy

Music group EMI has begun court proceedings against the Irish State, as it is unhappy with action taken by the government to tackle piracy, The Irish Times reports.

The move follows promises last month from the government that it would introduce new laws allowing copyright holders to obtain court orders that would compel ISPs in the country to block access to sites offering unauthorised copies of their music. This announcement from the government was prompted by earlier threats of legal action from EMI.

However, it seems EMI doesn’t believe that the planned government measures are enough, with the Chief Executive of the company’s Irish division, Willie Kavanagh now saying he is concerned the laws will be delayed and will not go far enough. Quoted by the Irish Times, he said that because the government had refused to show him the planned legislation, it led him “to believe it’s unlikely to satisfy the music industry’s requirement for injunctive relief”.

The government had planned to reveal the legislation this month, so EMI is clearly getting itchy feet over the affair by launching legal action less than two weeks into the month. The music company is also keen to see a current ‘3 strikes’ warning system for those accused of piracy extended from ISP Eircom to other providers in the country.

Site blocking as an anti-piracy tool is increasing in popularity in Europe. Link sharing site Newzbin was blocked by two ISPs in the UK last year, while ISPs in Finland and the Netherlands were forced to block The Pirate Bay this week.