The House of Lords have passed an amendment which will see a restriction introduced which will affect video - sharing sites being blocked in the UK.
The change grants TV and music companies the right to demand their material is taken down.
If the request is refused, they can take their challenge to court, where high legal costs will make it pointless to launch a defense.
Critics say the Digital Economy Bill is a blow to web freedom and gives too much power to large entertainment companies.
Under the new law, copyright holders must ask internet service providers and the website itself to remove the material or any links to other sites hosting it.
If it is not taken down, a court order can force the internet service provider to block the site.
The amendment is aimed at websites with " substantial" amounts of material protected by copyright.
Critics say the law, which is due to be passed in April, is unclear about what "substantial" means and that it is unfair to block an entire site over a few minor breaches.
Internet service providers could shut out a site rather than risk the high legal costs of defending a case.
An injunction would only be granted where a website had been warned repeatedly of video - sharing copyright breaches.
See http://www.notaryengland.co.uk for more information.
