Film industry is threatened with mega claim

- The Dutch film producers and distributors are liable to the State for the millions of euros damage they suffered by the illegal downloading of movies. They estimate the damage at 1.2 billion euros.

In an urgent letter to Secretary of State Dijkhof and parliament they argue Hague a choice. Whether the Dutch state takes her responsibility for 'unlawful legislation that piracy is possible with impunity.' Or legal action followed. The damage must be reimbursed anyway and need for new criminal law. This allows so-called Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are addressed as they put their channels open to pirate websites.

The 21 feature film producers and distributors point out that the Court in Strasbourg has already established in April 2014 that allowing download is contrary to European law. Producer Klaas de Jong: 'This means that there was long illegal laws in force for nearly ten years in the Netherlands. '

In response to parliamentary questions, the Minister of Security and Justice pledged this week that he will mediate between the film industry and ISPs. That takes the film industry is not enough. 'In Denmark and the United Kingdom have changed the law. Besides the compensation of the damage should also make that happen. '