PARIS - A new anti-piracy system launched in France seeks to block Internet access to users who frequently download illegal music and films. The deal was signed Friday with the blessings of France President Nicolas Sarkozy although many members of Parliament felt it would be infringing on civil liberties.
The system works by allowing ISPs to warn users twice when they are caught downloading illegal music files or complete films. However if users persist in downloading such material, the ISP in question has the right to shut down the Internet connection.
An independent panel will create the mechanism, which will monitor the illegal file downloading activity of users. This panel will also set the limit as to the number of times ISPs have to warn users before shutting down their Internet connection.
Nicolas Sarkozy called the new plan as a “decisive movement for the future of civilized Internet." He added that he was backing this move because "we run the risk of witnessing a genuine destruction of culture.”
The plan though has a catch. Music labels are required to abandon technical barriers and put their files online in exchange for the French Government's move to take action against users downloading music for free. John Kennedy, head of the music industry's trade body IFPI welcomed the new move by the French government.
“President Sarkozy has shown leadership and vision. He has recognized the importance that the creative industries play in contemporary Western economies,” he said in a statement. “This is the single most important initiative to help win the war on online piracy that we have seen so far."
