The Minister for Communications, Stephen Conroy, labelled the Optus copyright decision as "far-reaching" and is awaiting the outcomes of any appeals before deciding to intervene.
The government is closely monitoring the legal fallout from the Federal Court case which cleared Optus of violating the copyright of the Australian Football League and Telstra through its TV Now service. The NRL was also a plaintiff in the case.
Conroy said: “But it is a very far-reaching decision that could significantly change the way sporting rights are allocated and whether it is possible to protect content online.”
The Senator said there are several issues at stake including consumer rights, commercial rights and changing technological platforms and behaviours.
He added: “The decision came down yesterday, we are considering it, there will be an appeal, we will be monitoring this very closely, and we will be wanting to make sure we get the right balance between consumers and the sporting rights bodies and the TV stations, no one will pay for these rights if they can't find a way to make off them.
“If we want to sustain the competitions – the NRL, the AFL, and all of the other sporting competitions, not just here but around the world – then you have got to be able to, if you pay a large amount for those rights you have to be able to protect it. But equally, technology is marching on. This is where technology is challenging laws all around the world.”
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou has indicated the organisation will appeal the decision handed down by Justice Rares. However, if the decision is overturned, Optus may choose to take the case further before the High Court.
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