France approves law to cut illegal downloaders off the internet

[Syt]

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1476754.php/National_Assembly_approves_internet_cut-off_for_digital_pirates_

National Assembly approves internet cut-off for digital pirates
Europe News

May 12, 2009, 16:44 GMT

Paris - The lower house of the French Parliament, the National Assembly, approved a bill Tuesday that would cut off internet access to web surfers who repeatedly download copyrighted music, films or video games without paying.

The bill was passed by a vote of 296 to 233, largely along party lines, with most Socialist Party deputies voting against it.

It was strongly supported by President Nicolas Sarkozy and a broad array of French artists and could set a tough precedent for global attempts to crack down on internet piracy.

The bill was rejected in a first vote in the National Assembly in April because of a parliamentary ploy by the Socialists. But Culture Minister Christine Albanel quickly reintroduced the measure.

The French Senate must approve the bill again before it becomes law. The Senate already approved it by a large majority in October.

The Socialists are now expected to go before the Constitutional Council in an attempt to derail the law. If they fail, it should go into effect as early as autumn. However, internet cut-offs are not likely to be feasible until the beginning of 2010.

Under the 'three strikes' legislation, illegal downloaders are first sent an e-mail warning them of their infraction. They would be given the chance to contest the charge.

A second infraction will provoke a second e-mail as well as a registered letter. Internet cut-off follows a third illicit download within a year.

But the law may create a conflict between Paris and the European Union, since the European Parliament last year approved an amendment to a telecoms bill that outlawed internet cut-offs.

And on May 6 the EU assembly overwhelmingly rejected a compromise reached with EU governments that would have allowed France and other countries to cut off internet access.

Read more: "National Assembly approves internet cut-off for digital pirates - Monsters and Critics" - http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/europe/news/article_1476754.php/National_Assembly_approves_internet_cut-off_for_digital_pirates_#ixzz0FJkgb7Cq&A

[Admiral Yi]

[Valmy]

with most Socialist Party deputies voting against it.

Socialists love stealing.

[The Brain]

Less Freedom Monkeys on the internet.

[Norgy]

How will this law be enforced without violating privacy?

[The Brain]

How will this law be enforced without violating privacy?

Why would you want to?

Oh, they don't shower. Gotcha.

[Norgy]

Bork. 

[Martinus]

This is rather silly. In this day and age, the internet is an essential facility. It's like banning someone who didn't buy a ticket for a bus ride from using public transport. 

[The Brain]

It's like banning someone who didn't buy a ticket for a bus ride from using public transport. 

It's a shame that they don't.

[Valmy]

It's like banning someone who didn't buy a ticket for a bus ride from using public transport. 

If somebody consistently does it all the time then yes I do think they should be banned.

I am not exactly sure how France is going to keep somebody from using the internet but hey whatever.

[DisturbedPervert]

I look forward to lolz when a bunch of old grannies are banned from the internet for accidentally downloading copyrighted material, while the hard core pirate are completely unaffected.

[Martinus]

It's like banning someone who didn't buy a ticket for a bus ride from using public transport. 

If somebody consistently does it all the time then yes I do think they should be banned.

I am not exactly sure how France is going to keep somebody from using the internet but hey whatever.

Anyway, as the article states, this law is contrary to the relevant EU regulation, so it seems like this is just a publicity/political stunt by the more and more unpopular French government, since it is going to be overturned in court.

[Valmy]

I look forward to lolz when a bunch of old grannies are banned from the internet for accidentally downloading copyrighted material, while the hard core pirate are completely unaffected.

approved a bill Tuesday that would cut off internet access to web surfers who repeatedly download copyrighted music, films or video games without paying.

Obviously this would only be used for people who repeatedly are stupid enough to get caught illegally downloading things...who probably deserve far worse just for being morons.

[Admiral Yi]

I look forward to lolz when a bunch of old grannies are banned from the internet for accidentally downloading copyrighted material, while the hard core pirate are completely unaffected.

Old grannies who accidentally download three times in a year?

Fucking Valmy.

[DisturbedPervert]

Obviously this would only be used for people who repeatedly are stupid enough to get caught illegally downloading things...who probably deserve far worse just for being morons.

It said 3 illegal downloads in one year in the article.  You could accidentally do that in a few minutes.