Telstra has backed a proposal to block websites that host pirated movies and music and called for new measures that would help content owners sue internet users who continue to download them.

The calls came in Telstra's submission to the Online Copyright Infringement consultation being led by Attorney-General George Brandis. It echoed comments made last month by chief executive David Thodey that piracy could not be justified on any basis.

Some studies indicate that those who do download pirated material will also happily pay for legal content. Credit:Frank Maiorana

"Australian courts should be given a power to grant an injunction to block access to overseas websites determined by the court to be facilitating online copyright infringement," Telstra said. "Such a mechanism would directly target the source of copyright infringing content.

"In addition to the court-based website blocking, we propose an education notice scheme for consumers who are identified via their IP addresses as downloading content without the rights holder's permission."