Now just a matter of time before the anti-file-sharing law goes into affect.
The French National Assembly formally passed the “Creation and Internet Law” late last Thursday, and sadly in an almost empty chamber, that creates a so-called “three-strikes” policy for those accused of illegal file-sharing.
It’s now in the hands of the Joint Committee, comprised of 7 members of parliament and 7 senators, which must go over the bill line by line to work out any differences. It’s scheduled to meet this Thursday.
The legislation creates the Haute Autorité pour la Diffusion des Oeuvres et la Protection des droits sur Internet (HADOPI), a new govt agency whose task it will be to sanction those accused of illegal file-sharing. Offenders will receive two separate warnings about their illegal activities before losing Internet access for up to a year. The names of the “three-strikers” will appear on a blacklist to prevent ISP shopping. The Internet access ban replaces current provisions that call for up to three years in prison and 300,000 euros in fines.
Lawmakers thankfully voted to strike a provision that would’ve required banned users to continue paying their Internet connection fees despite having no access.
Unfortunately, the bill doesn’t protect people from being falsely accused. Copyright holders are still targeting an IP address and not the actual individual responsible for the infringement. It means that people will have to make sure their connection is properly secured at the risk of losing it entirely for up to a year.
Also troubling is that a teenager’s illegal downloading can penalize an entire family, or that a neighbor can piggyback on an unsecured i-fi connection and also hold the innocent responsiblele.
Some noted the absurdity of creating a situation where people may have to go Internet begging from neighbors.
“We are all fighting for our rural communities to have Internet access and we will remove it for some families,” noted Marc le Fur, UMP Deputy.
La Quadrature du Net, an Internet freedom organization, also denounced the bills passage.
“The vote … is a symbol of the technological ignorance of a government and a majority in the service of a blind corporatism, ” said group representative Jeremie Zimmermann. “The industries that required the Hadopi are not close to being saved (by this law).”
The International Federation for the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) naturally praised the French govt.
“The French government has taken a decisive step to protect artists and creators, setting an example to the rest of the world,” said John Kennedy, the group’s chairman and chief executive. “The great thing about this French initiative is that it will result in very sensible and achievable actions by ISPs to reduce piracy in a way that is overwhelmingly preventative and not punitive.”
The bill’s passage is unlikely to affect file-sharing altogether, as the savvy will simply turn to darknets or VPN services off copyright holder’s radar. But, what it will do is establish the troubling precedent of allowing private businesses to become gatekeepers of the Internet.
Even Culture Minister Christine Albanel admits the bill will do little to stop the “the mass phenomenon that is piracy of cultural products.”
She only hopes the bill will somehow “shape a new mindset among Internet users with regard to cultural diversity and the economic and legal conditions necessary to preserve it.”
Good luck with that. Too bad “shaping” means disconnecting people from society.
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france sux.
My brothers, the time is here, rise up to the proletariat. Révolution!
This bill will fail the test of time.
REVOLT!
Guess I shouldn’t post when I’m tired. Meant to say bourgeoisie, oh well.
And this is coming from the creators of democracy!?
I am sure that the global wings of the mpaa, riaa is somehow involved, the same groups that bullheaded the pirate bay spectrial. The purpose of our governments is to protect us from this type of bullying from corporations and institutions, and with the youth of the world being the ones who mostly download music and movies – this law is going to take away the internet from them. nothing good can come out of this.
go after the people trying to profit from piracy, people selling bootleg movies and games – this law is going to ensure that those assholes have a thriving business. If you are afraid to download a movie, the prospect of buying it on the streets for a few bucks will be a lot more enticing.
It would seem that the ISP’s would fight against this also if the government is going to take away their customers. Because of laws like this it is going to become more clear which artists only play for money, and the films and music coming from these producers will become less desirable.
U2 may be all for this law, but ask the struggling musician trying to get a gig at the local bar or disco, ask these guys what they think about it. And then ask U2 if they have forgotten their roots.
This sounds like a horrible idea. It penalizes an entire household. also, what about public access computers. Are libraries going to get shut out?
UPDATE:After a two hour discussion, the law was rejected by the National Assembly with 21 votes against and 15 votes in favor. According to early reports, the Socialist party changed their initial position and decided to vote against the law after witnessing the mass opposition from the French public. (04.09)