Is it all over for illegal file sharing?

An Australian court ruling could have implications for P2P networks across the world.

This week a court in Australia gave file sharing network Kazaa two months to stop material protected by copyright from being traded.

Kazaa also have to pay 90 per cent of the costs incurred by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in taking the case.

Federal Court Judge Murray Wilcox said that merely posting warnings not to share illegal material on the Kazaa website was not enough of a deterrent, and that new software is needed to make such transfers impossible.

The record industry around the world has applauded the RIAA’s action and others are expected to follow suit.