O2 and Be Broadband start blocking Newzbin2

O2 and Be Broadband have begun blocking Newzbin2 following an injunction against the Usenet indexing website secured by the Motion Picture Association.

Broadband users attempting to access the site are now informed that the page they are searching for has been blocked, as the internet service providers (ISPs) are complying with a court order designed to protect against copyright infringement.

Another domain operated by the website also fails to load, according to the Be Usergroup, with a packet capture revealing that the connection is being blocked by Be equipment.

In August, Virgin Media also began preventing its customers from visiting Newzbin2, which provides links to a wide range of copyrighted films, music and software. Sky and BT blocked the website last year.

At the time, Virgin Media explained it had complied with the court order as it is a "responsible ISP", but also argued that "compelling legal alternatives" must be introduced to dissuade consumers from using sites like Newzbin2.

Earlier this year, O2 and Be followed other providers in blocking access to filesharing website The Pirate Bay, with O2 stating it would "like to see music rights holders developing new ways to provide their content".