RECORD labels have fired shots at illegal downloaders, taking the fight against online piracy to the Federal Court of Australia.

Universal, Warner, Sony, and Albert & Son have filed a joint application to have KickassTorrents and associated proxy sites blocked at the ISP level.

The move follows a similar action taken by Foxtel against The Pirate Bay, after new legislation giving rights holders the ability to apply to have sites blocked passed last year.

This is the first time the music sector has filed an application, with previous lodgements coming from the film and television industries.

Filed by members of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and Australasian collecting society APRA AMCOS, the request asks for ISPs to block leading torrent site KickassTorrents.

The application claims Kickass Torrents is exploiting the creativity of others, while securing millions of dollars in illegal advertising revenues.

Chair of the APRA Board Jenny Morris said she hoped the blocking of the site would convince Australians to consume their music legally.

“Online infringement continues to be a major threat to the sustainability of the Australian music industry,” she toldTorrentFreak.

“Illegal offshore sites like Kickass Torrents show a complete disrespect for music creators and the value of music.

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“Australian music fans already have access — for free if they choose — to the world’s repertoire of music via more than 20 legitimate licensed online music services.

“Blocking access to sites like Kickass Torrents is all about supporting those services and allowing the writers whose songs are available on them to be paid for their work.”

In addition to blocking Kickass Torrents, the application also requests related proxy sites be blocked, which would make it harder for the website to create mirrors or clones.

ARIA chief executive Dan Rosen said the push was about trying to strengthen the local music industry.

“Last year ARIA welcomed the Federal Government’s passing of section 115A as a critical element in supporting the legitimate digital content market in Australia,” he said.

“ARIA and its members believe that this case will be an important step to ensure Australians are accessing their music from sites which contribute to our local industry; so that we can continue investing in talent to make the music we all love.”

Discussions with ISPs are currently underway and the case will return to court early May.