France kills off its three-strikes piracy law

A number of years ago, the French government enacted a new law that would punish repeat offenders for piracy violations.

Internet users who were accused of pirating video games, movies, TV shows, music or other unauthorized downloads were first sent a letter. If you continued, a more threatening letter was sent and finally if you continued, a "third-strike" could mean the temporary shut down of your Internet connection and being blacklisted from joining other ISPs.

As of this week, the government has stepped away from the controversial method, removing the possibility of file-sharers to have their Internet cut off. Instead, alleged pirates will now be subjected to a system of automated fines.

The changes came thanks to a 700 page report "advising on policies for advancing entertainment industries in the digital age" by a nine-member panel published in June.

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Jul 2013 10:36

Justoneguy

I wonder who was on the panel suggesting implementation of automated fines without needing to be found guilty? Huh, nobody involved with the entertainment industry I'm sure.

9.7.2013 12:14 #1

xboxdvl2

hmm automated fines.i actually disagree with any automated fine unless it can be proved the offence was committed or the fine can be taken to court and argued in which case they would have to prove the offense was committed.

i have the big screen tv,a ps3 and 5.1 channel surround sound.car still runs smooth and computer still works but its a bit outdated.

10.7.2013 07:31 #2

bhetrick

Originally posted by xboxdvl2: hmm automated fines.i actually disagree with any automated fine unless it can be proved the offence was committed or the fine can be taken to court and argued in which case they would have to prove the offense was committed.

Well, I'd imagine that if the user chooses to ignore the first and second warning letters, then receiving the automated fine would be their own fault.

10.7.2013 18:37 #3

jagman1

WTF! Stuff the entertainment rip-off industry. Overpriced products, mostly naff US action crap, same old, same old......remakes half as good as originals, overpaid actors, all this fuss about MONEY!!!! & all the while kiddie porn, torture & abuse porn of females is freely available & no-one does anything meaningful to stop it! Hypocritical or what!! What a lovely, caring society we have developed. Capitalism & consumerism.......politicians & corporates know the price of everything & the value of nothing.

11.7.2013 12:27 #4

kutulu1

I say tis time the movie industry dies. Think about it. They get paid millions of dollars to 'play pretend'. Get a real job, turds. I'm sure Mcdonalds would hire them. These commie Americans sit around all day trying find ways of milking every penny you have.

11.7.2013 22:27 #5

omegaman7

Automated fines? That's pretty friggin ignorant, arrogant... PICK ONE! How can they be 100% sure that they have the right IP? People steal other peoples internet everyday! Proxies upon proxies.
Ok, perhaps they'd be aware of this, in certain cases. But not all. Thank goodness I don't live in France!

Star Trek High Definition is only possible while theyre receiving return for their efforts. Pirate Star Trek, and their efforts will have no choice but to cease :(

13.7.2013 03:11 #6

Interestx

In deranged land a video or album (often old and which recouped any costs & paid - handsomely - the actors/performers long ago) costing a couple of $/�/� in a store (if available at all anymore) suddenly becomes a gravy-train for a judicial system, a whole heap of expensive lawyers, a stick to threaten people with generally & a ruinous multi-thousand/million fine...and/or with expensive prison time attached.

It is the very definition of ludicrous.
The law has rarely been so obviously perverted to suit greedy anti-consumer corporate ends.

14.7.2013 06:49 #7

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