ON THURSDAY, July 28 I sat at my computer refreshing the BBC news website, waiting for the verdict of a landmark case against BT that could change the face of the internet in the UK.

I was certain no judge would ever decide that it was BT’s responsibility to block access to a specific service. I was wrong. BT were ordered to block access to the Newzbin2 service, a service that gives people access to unlicensed movies. I watched the internet for reaction, looking for a conversation around it and people to rail against the decision with, looking for the start of a revolution. I was amazed so little reaction came.

The decision doesn’t really solve the problem that it was intending to, and puts into law a way for businesses to have sites or services blocked that they don’t approve of.

It’s now BT’s responsibility to block access to a specific service. That‘s close to impossible.

Those that create pirating software are usually extremely agile and intelligent. They can change their software, mask IPs, provide routes through anonymous networks and no doubt use all manner of methods I have never heard of. But where does that leave BT? If they have been told that they are legally responsible for blocking a service how far will the law push them to do so? Will the movie industry let them off with having tried and failed? Maybe they will in this case, but what about the many cases to come?

One of the few ways to achieve a block is to have a white list opt-in policy where they only allow access to approved internet sources. It’s an extreme way of doing it but freedom and change are becoming less important than profits.

The BBC showed how to deal with pirates in the 60s. The government tried and failed with the legal routes, but in the end the BBC brought the competition to them. They changed, listened to the consumer and provided a quality service. People started listening and there was no need for the pirates.

The consumer is telling business that they have changed. Businesses like Spotify have stepped into the breach with new and modern business models, competing directly with pirates, giving the consumer what they want, profiting from it and coming out on top.

If businesses are not agile enough to rethink their plans and models they should get out of the way and work with those who are coming through who are, rather than expend time and money trampling on freedoms and attempting to slow down a consumer that they can no longer keep up with.

Kev Price is the technical director at Newcastle web agency Ki Media