NBN Co recruits MIPI chief

The general manager of the Music Industry Piracy Investigations (MIPI) Sabiene Heindl has accepted a role with NBN Co as its stakeholder manager.

Heindl had given notice with MIPI and was completing her final three months at the organisation. She was due to take up the role at NBN Co later this year.

The appointment was confirmed by an NBN Co spokesman.

News of the Heindl’s move was greeted with shock by members of the music industry.

Former MIPI general manager Michael Speck told iTnews the departure would be a setback for the organisation.

"She's been a capable operator who has managed to represent her stakeholders without having to resort to PR warfare,” Speck said.

He said that managing MIPI was one of the hardest roles in the music industry.

News of Heindl's move followed a recent public spat over MIPI’s position on 'three strikes' and graduated response approaches used to discourage copyright infringement on the internet.

Earlier this month, she issued a statement that MIPI remained committed to working with ISPs to sanction repeat offenders.

"Given how hard she has worked, it is a shame to see her leave before she resolved the ISP liability issue," Speck said.

Other sources were more circumspect about Heindl’s achievements. One noted that her departure would "neither harm nor help" MIPI.

A former senior associate with law firm Allens Arthur Robinson, Heindl joined MIPI in 2006.