29 July 2026
The Federal Court has ordered major Australian internet service providers to block access to 32 alleged pirate streaming sites before the release of The Odyssey.
In Universal City Studios Productions LLLP v Telstra Limited [2026] FCA 899, Justice Stellios granted urgent interlocutory relief under section 115A of the Copyright Act 1968.
The decision shows that copyright owners may be able to act before anticipated piracy causes commercial damage.
What happened?
Universal City Studios and other film rights holders were already pursuing broader proceedings against a number of internet service providers.
They then sought urgent orders targeting 32 online locations that appeared ready to stream The Odyssey without permission.
The film was due for release in Australia on 16 July 2026, one day after its release in France and shortly before its wider international release.
Rather than waiting for illegal copies to appear, the applicants asked the Court to block access in advance.
What does section 115A do?
Section 115A allows copyright owners to seek orders requiring Australian internet service providers to disable access to overseas online locations that infringe, or facilitate the infringement of, copyright.
These orders are commonly used against pirate streaming and download sites.
Blocking measures may include:
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DNS blocking;
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IP address blocking;
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URL blocking; or
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other agreed technical measures.
Orders can also include mechanisms to deal with replacement domains and URLs used to evade blocking.
Why did the Court act urgently?
To obtain interlocutory relief, the applicants needed to establish:
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a prima facie case; and
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that the balance of convenience favoured making the orders.
Justice Stellios was satisfied that both tests were met.
The evidence indicated that the websites offered large catalogues of films and television programs without authorisation and appeared ready to make The Odyssey available once it was released.
The Court also accepted that unauthorised streaming during the film’s release window could cause financial harm that would be difficult to recover from overseas website operators.
None of the internet service providers opposed the orders.
Why wait until just before release?
The timing was strategic.
Pirate websites frequently change domain names and URLs. Filing too early may give operators time to move before the orders take effect.
By seeking relief close to the film’s release, the applicants increased the likelihood that the orders would target the sites actually operating when piracy was expected to begin.
What did the Court order?
The relevant internet service providers were required to take reasonable steps to disable access to the 32 target online locations before the film’s Australian release.
The orders also allowed new domains, URLs and IP addresses to be blocked where they provided alternative access to the same pirate sites.
The orders were interlocutory, meaning they were made pending the final determination of the broader proceedings.
What does this mean for copyright owners?
The decision confirms that section 115A can be used preventatively.
Copyright owners do not necessarily need to wait until a film, broadcast or other digital work has already been widely pirated.
However, suspicion alone is not enough. Rights holders still need persuasive evidence showing:
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ownership of the relevant copyright;
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the infringing nature of the websites;
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the likelihood of imminent infringement;
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efforts to notify the website operators; and
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why urgent intervention is justified.
The key takeaway
Effective copyright enforcement is not always about reacting after the damage is done.
For high-value releases, early monitoring, strong evidence and a carefully timed site-blocking application may help disrupt piracy before it reaches Australian audiences.
Case: Universal City Studios Productions LLLP v Telstra Limited [2026] FCA 899
Court: Federal Court of Australia
Judge: Stellios J
Decision date: 9 July 2026
This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Business owners should seek advice tailored to their circumstances from a qualified intellectual property professional.
