The Spanish Supreme Court has agreed to review the Sinde Law, which the Association of Web Users has challenged as unconstitutional. The Sinde Law creates a government commission to review allegations of copyright infringement, which can order internet service providers to block access to websites hosting infringing content. The Association of Web Users argue that only a court should have this authority.
The Supreme Court also issued an injunction that will prevent the law from going into effect on March 1. According to Billboard magazine, the Coalition of Creators and Content Industries “has a list of more than 100 web sites that it will target with the law once the codes are enforced, including some of Spain’s most popular like Series Yonkis, Cinetube, Vagos o PorDescargaDirecta.”
The Sinde Law was passed by the parliament in February 2011 but opposition from the public kept the government from enacting the law, despite U.S. pressure to do so. In December, a new government led by the Partido Popular came to power and announced it would enact the law.
Further information:
- Complete Music Update. “Spanish Supreme Court to Consider Sinde Law.” February 13, 2012.
- Andres Cala for Billboard Magazine. “Sinde Law Piracy Battle Headed to Spanish Supreme Court, With Global Implications.” February 10, 2012.
- Infojustice. “Spain Implements Website-Blocking Sinde Law.” January 2, 2012.
