BT Considering Music Industry Request To Block Illegal Website

BT Group PLC (BT.A.LN) said Friday it is considering a request by the music industry to block The Pirate Bay website, a major file-sharing site that enables unlawful downloads of music and games.

The BPI, which represents U.K. record labels, has written to the telecommunications provider, asking it to block The Pirate Bay voluntarily. If BT doesn't block the website, BPI will head to court.

The move follows a recent U.K. High Court order that BT block access to pirate website Newzbin2, which makes unlawful copies of films and television programs available, alongside other content, following legal action by an association representing six major movie studios.

In a brief statement, BT confirmed it had received the BPI's letter and is considering its response. "In line with the Newzbin judgment, a court order will be needed before any blocking could begin. BT is currently focused on implementation of that [Newzbin2] order," BT said.

Since 2009, several Internet service providers in Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Belgium and Sweden have been ordered to implement blocking measures against The Pirate Bay, according to the BPI.

BPI Chief Executive Geoff Taylor said The Pirate Bay "is no more than a huge scam on the global creative sector," adding that it defrauds musicians and other creators of their wages, and destroys jobs.

The owners of The Pirate Bay couldn't be reached for comment.

-By Lilly Vitorovich, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-0-207 842 9290; [e-mail]; Twitter:@LillyVitorovich