In a move claimed to be “a practical example of [their] willingness to help rights holders tackle the infringement problem”, Australian ISPs propose to not advertise their services on websites that promote or facilitate online copyright infringement – the so-called “follow-the-money” strategy.

According to the ISP industry body’s media release, the follow-the-money strategy resulted in “an immediate reduction of 12% in advertising revenue” to infringing websites when trialled in the UK recently.

Due to concerns about contravening competition law prohibitions on collective arrangements that lessen competition, the ISPs have sought authorisation for its proposal from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.