Film industry may sue Netherlands over €1.2 billion in piracy damages

The Dutch film industry is holding the Netherlands responsible for damages they suffered by the illegal downloading of movies. They estimate the damage at 1.2 billion euros. In a letter to State Secretary Klaas Dijkhoff of Security and Justice, the film producers and distributors demand that the government takes responsibility or they will be forced to take legal action, the Telegraaf reports.

According to the 21 film producers, it is "unlawful legislation that make piracy possible with impunity". They point out that the Court of Justice in Strasbourg established in April 2014 that allowing illegal downloading is contrary to European Law. "This means that for nearly ten years illegal laws were in force in the Netherlands", producer Klaas de Jong said to the newspaper.

The film industry wants the 1.2 billion euros in damages reimbursed and a new criminal law through which Internet Service Providers can be addressed if they open their channels to pirate websites.