Policy Observatory
Dutch court rules ISPs may be ordered to reveal copyright infringer identity
If an anonymous trader sells illegal e-books online, the internet service provider may be ordered to reveal the infringer's identity. As recently decided by the District Court in The Hague, the interests of the copyright holder may prevail over those of the trader and the internet provider. The anonymous trader does have a right to privacy and freedom of speech, which also includes the right to remain anonymous, but these rights will have to be weighed against the right of the copyright holder to protect its property.
Country: Netherlands
Domains: IPR
Stakeholder: Judicial