ODYSSEY Systems, the Tees Valley based business-to-business communications provider, has labelled a high court judge's ruling a "complete waste of valuable resources."

Odyssey’s managing director, Mike Odysseas, likened the order for BT to block access to a file-sharing website to “eavesdropping on a private telephone conversation, ultimately forcing ISPs to vet and police content”.

The ruling is the first time a British ISP has been forced to block a website.

Mike, founder of Stockton-based Odyssey Systems, voiced his concerns about the ruling, saying: “I believe it is wrong to apply these rules, as it is no different to eavesdropping on a telephone conversation. This now sets a precedent that could ultimately lead to ISPs being forced to vet and police content. For many of us, the prospect of this would not only be unthinkable, but also an unsustainable burden. It will open the floodgates for many similar cases with the censor being able to decide what can and cannot be discussed.”

He added: “BT will have to block and filter all of the URL and IP addresses and will be liable for the cost of doing so.

“Their resources would be much better served improving the speed of internet access instead of blocking a file sharing site that realistically cannot be fully blocked.

“Odyssey Systems does not have this problem, as our Internet traffic is not shaped or filtered in any way. Our full resources are directed to looking after the needs of our customers, giving the assurance that they have our undivided attention. This is what customers want from a service industry, not for those involved to be distracted by serving as the operational arm of regulation.”