The decision comes on the heels of a similar ruling last fall for internet customers of Elisa and Saunalahti. Elisa has since appealed the decision and the case is still pending.

The Finnish branch of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, IFPI Finland, is behind The Pirate Bay block. The organisation represents music giants EMI, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music and Warner Music Finland.

The Pirate Bay is a Swedish site listing torrents that facilitate the exchange of computer files among internet users, some of which are copyright protected.

Finnish anti-piracy watchdog CIAPC (Copyright Information and Anti-Piracy Centre) was pleased with the decision to prevent DNA and TeliaSonera customers from accessing the infamous torrent site.

"It is clearly an illegal service. Ninety-nine percent of its top 500 material is illegal," said Antti Kotilainen of CIAPC.