Well, I hope this at least spoils xedo's weekend, and gives a
glimmer of hoped to the xedo-ed and to be xedo-ed. 
ANIME distributer Odex has lost a court bid to force Pacific
Internet to reveal names of subscribers who allegedly downloaded
pirated versions of the Japanese cartoons.
The Subordinate Court handed down its decision in chambers on
Thursday and no details were made public.
Pacific Internet (PacNet), which opposed the Odex action, would
only say that it 'respects the rights of intellectual property
owners and at the same time, also believes in protecting the
privacy of all our subscribers'.
The Straits Times understands one reason for District Judge Ernest
Lau's decision is that he believes Odex was not the right party to
make the application, despite having the go-ahead to prosecute on
the behalf of the Japanese anime studios.
Odex is demanding the names of up to 1000 PacNet downloaders.
A company spokesman said it will consult the rights owners before
making its next move but it was likely to appeal. It has 14 days to
do so.
The ruling on Thursday came as a surprise given that Odex had
successfully obtained Court orders to get SingNet and StarHub to
reveal names of their downloaders.
Different judges ruled on those cases, and both internet service
providers declined to say what arguments they presented in
court.
In light of the PacNet decision, a StarHub spokesman said on
Thursday that it's 'assessing our options ...given the different
decisions rendered by the court'.
But the deadline for lodging an appeal has expired for StarHub and
SingTel.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Latest%2...ry_151108.html
