Belgium Targets Internet Archive's Open Library in Site Blocking Order
11 days ago
- #Internet Archive
- #Piracy
- #Site-Blocking
- Traditional site-blocking measures target local ISPs to block pirate sites, but are only partially effective.
- Recent blocking orders now target DNS providers like Google and Cloudflare in countries like France and Italy.
- Belgium has implemented DNS blocking, causing Cisco’s OpenDNS to cease operations there.
- A new order from the Brussels Business Court targets pirate libraries (Anna’s Archive, LibGen, OceanofPDF, Z-Library) and Internet Archive’s Open Library.
- Open Library, created by Aaron Swartz and Brewster Kahle, aims to archive and loan books digitally, but was sued by U.S. publishers.
- Belgian publishers argue Open Library operates without permission, leading to a provisional blocking order.
- The order also targets ISPs (including Starlink), search engines, payment services, and hosting providers to block or suspend services.
- Internet Archive was not heard in the case, and the order was issued ex parte.
- Pushback is expected from intermediaries, but Open Library’s domain does not yet appear on Belgium’s blacklist.