Justice Min. denounces filmmakers over €1.2 billion piracy damage claim

The Dutch government is rejecting the film industry's massive 1.2 billion euro claim for damages suffered due to piracy. The Netherlands is not responsible for these damages, Minister Ard van der Steur of Security and Justice stated, the Telegraaf reports. 

Filmmakers and producers are holding the Dutch government responsible for damages suffered by illegal downloading. According to them, the current download ban is not being enforced effectively. They also believe that the Netherlands took much too long to implement a ban on downloading.

That ban was enforced by the European Court in 2014. Until then the government tolerated downloading, leading to high losses, the film industry feels.

The government this agrees, according to Van der Steur. There has always been a private copying levy on blank CD's, used among other things to compensate producers for downloading. Copyright owners also have plenty of opportunities to turn to court with their piracy claims.