The Kiwi Blog website was one of many blacked out in opposition to the copyright law changes. Photo / Richard Robinson

The Kiwi Blog website was one of many blacked out in opposition to the copyright law changes. Photo / Richard Robinson

The Government has stalled a proposed law to enforce copyright on the internet after a "web roots" protest that blacked out sites yesterday.

Prime Minister John Key conceded that Section 92a of the Copyright Act could be "problematic", and suggested it could be thrown out.

The clause would require internet service providers (ISPs) to disconnect users who download pirated material such as movies or songs.

The clause has been widely condemned as "unworkable" and allowing "guilt by accusation" because there would be no independent scrutiny of claims made by copyright holders against users.

Opponents say it could unfairly punish businesses or families when the downloading is done without their knowledge by an employee or family member or by someone hacking into their connection.

Supporters say these suggestions are scaremongering, and that the new law is aimed only at large-scale and repeat piracy.

Internet users have been "blacking out" their web presence in protest at Section 92a.

The protest culminated yesterday when most of New Zealand's major blogs took down their sites, replacing them with a black notice.

Section 92a was to have come into force this weekend, but Mr Key said it would be delayed a month while ISPs and copyright holders continued efforts to work out a voluntary agreement on how it would be enforced.

He said if they could not agree, the clause would be suspended.

If they did reach an agreement, it would be reviewed in six months.

"Our preference is for the parties to reach a compromise and the law to work properly. If it doesn't, we will change it," the PM said.

He had been unaware of the concerns over the clause until the blackout protest intensified last week.

Section 92 was removed by a parliamentary select committee last year, but was put back into the legislation by then-Labour Government minister Judith Tizard - with National's support.

But in Government, National has changed its position.

"We've had a chance to reflect on that," said Mr Key.

Protest organiser Bronwyn Holloway-Smith said more than 16,000 people had signed the protest.