UK ISPs asked to block 21 file sharing sites including Torrentz.eu, BitSnoop and ExtraTorrent

The UK’s leading ISPs have been asked to block a further 21 file-sharing sites after receiving fresh court orders from rights holders. 

The sites, including the likes of Torrentz.eu, BitSnoop and ExtraTorrent are to be blocked on October 30. 

BT and Virgin Media have confirmed that the block will be implemented in the next two days. 

A BT spokesperson said: “BT will only block access to websites engaged in online copyright infringement when ordered by a court to do so. BT has been ordered to block access to these websites, and will do so within the timeframe set out in the court order.” 

Read our guides to Which ISPs block file sharing sites? the Digital Economy Act and Internet Piracy ProsecutionsGareth Mead, a Virgin Media spokesperson added: “We’ve received court orders requiring us to block a further 21 file-sharing sites found to be infringing on copyright. As a responsible ISP we obey court orders addressed to the company.” 

Sky typically does not comment on which sites it blocks but states that it always complies with court orders as and when they’re received. Sky refreshes a list of sites that it’s been asked to block on its ‘Our approach to protecting copyright’ page. So far, Torrentz.eu and the others have not yet appeared. 

TalkTalk has yet to respond to a request for comment. 

A report from TorrentFreak first revealed that Torrentz.eu, BitSnoop and ExtraTorrent would be blocked in the UK at the end of the month. 

Recombu Digital has obtained the full list of sites that are to be blocked: 

• 1337x
• Abmp3
• BeeMP3
• BitSnoop
• Bomb-Mp3
• eMp3World
• ExtraTorrent
• FileCrop
• FilesTube
• Monova
• Mp3Juices
• Mp3lemon
• Mp3Raid
• Mp3skull
• NewAlbumReleases
• Rapidlibrary
• TorrentCrazy
• TorrentDownloads
• TorrentHound
• Torrentreactor
• Torrentz

This latest wave of site blocking measures is the biggest yet. Previously, rights holders had sought court orders for sites like The Pirate Bay, KickassTorrents, Movie2k and EZTV. 

The length of time it took for court orders to materialise meant that there was time for those involved in file sharing to set up mirrors and proxies. Obtaining orders to block several sites all at once makes it easier for rights holders to bring the fight to the pirates.