PacNet Wins.

From the Straits Times. ANIME distributer Odex has lost a court bid to force Pacific Internet to reveal names of subscribers who allegedly downloaded pirated versions of the Japanese cartoons. The Subordinate Court handed down its decision in chambers on Thursday and no details were made public. Pacific Internet (PacNet), which opposed the Odex action, would only say that it 'respects the rights of intellectual property owners and at the same time, also believes in protecting the privacy of all our subscribers'. The Straits Times understands one reason for District Judge Ernest Lau's decision is that he believes Odex was not the right party to make the application, despite having the go-ahead to prosecute on the behalf of the Japanese anime studios. Odex is demanding the names of up to 1000 PacNet downloaders. A company spokesman said it will consult the rights owners before making its next move but it was likely to appeal. It has 14 days to do so. The ruling on Thursday came as a surprise given that Odex had successfully obtained Court orders to get SingNet and StarHub to reveal names of their downloaders. Different judges ruled on those cases, and both internet service providers declined to say what arguments they presented in court. In light of the PacNet decision, a StarHub spokesman said on Thursday that it's 'assessing our options ...given the different decisions rendered by the court'. But the deadline for lodging an appeal has expired for StarHub and SingTel. I bet they will.