Music companies and film producers suffered a partial setback in their fight against internet piracy on Tuesday when Europe’s top court ruled individuals’ rights to privacy could be allowed to override the rights of copyright owners seeking to bring civil legal claims.

But the European Court of Justice went on to stress that member states needed to ensure a “fair balance” was struck between these competing rights. It also said while countries were not obliged to force internet service providers to disclose data about suspected infringers in civil proceedings, they could do so if they wished.