Ireland today passed new legislation that allows copyright holders to force Internet providers to block ‘pirate’ websites.

Dubbed ‘SOPA Ireland,’ the copyright law amendment makes it possible for rightsholders to obtain an injunction against sites they deem to be infringing.

While the US SOPA is much broader, the Irish version was met with great opposition.

80,419 people petitioned their ministers not to pass the amendment, but this was in vain.

With the amendment signed into law opponents fear the worst.

“We can expect the music industry to immediately start seeking injunctions against ISPs to block access to parts of the internet,” Stop SOPA Ireland writes.

Despite the announcement of the upcoming blocking legislation, record label EMI still sued the Irish state for its lacking anti-piracy stance.