New Zealand's controversial new "three strikes" anti-piracy bill has been put on ice following protests from both copyright holders and the country's internet community.
The bill, which was supposed to go into effect on February 28, has been delayed until March 27 - but only if ISPs and copyright holders can work out an implementation strategy before then, the New Zealand Herald reported.
If passed, ISPs will be required to send warning letters to customers caught violating copyright. After three notices have been issued, ISPs will be forced to disconnect the customer.
The bill has drawn protests from New Zealand's internet community, with a number of bloggers and artists replacing their web pages with a black screen, Ars Technicasaid. The protest has drawn international support, with British actor Stephen Fry even joining in, according toStuff.co.nz.
However, the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ) has criticized the bill for not going far enough to protect rights holders.
The agency has sent a letter of complaint to bill drafters the Telecommunications Carriers' Forum (TCF), which has been leaked to Computerworld New Zealand. RIANZ wants the law changed to require ISPs to disconnect users upon their third offense.
The body also wants TCF to remove the mechanism for consumers to appeal the warning notices, to prevent copyright groups having to pay to issue termination notices, and to remove the requirement for copyright agencies to include evidence that would be admissible in court during the warning process.