IFPI reports that the Court of Milan has dismissed CloudFlare’s appeal against a preliminary injunction obtained earlier this year requiring it to stop providing its public DNS service to three notorious BitTorrent sites which were previously ordered to be blocked by local telecoms regulator AGCOM.

IFPI coordinated the initial action taken by its member companies in Italy (Sony Music Entertainment Italy spa, Universal Music Entertainment Italy srl, Warner Music Italia srl) against CloudFlare earlier this year.

Following an application, supported locally by Italian anti-piracy group FPM and IFPI’s national group FIMI, the Court of Milan issued an interim injunction in July which CloudFlare subsequently appealed.

The court of Milan has rejected Cloudflare’s arguments as to the substance of the legal claim, which IFPI explains means that CloudFlare needs to comply with the order, or otherwise can be subject to penalty payments.

Frances Moore, Chief Executive of IFPI, commented: “CloudFlare’s services were making it possible for users to access copyright infringing websites that take revenues away from those investing in and creating music. By upholding the original order against CloudFlare, the Court of Milan has set an important precedent that online intermediaries can be required to take effective action if their services are used for music piracy.” To read IFPI’s press release in full, click here.