PARIS — The French Senate has declared its independence from the European Parliament by approving legislation that would require anyone caught illicitly sharing copyrighted content to be disconnected from the Web.Under the proposed three-strikes or “graduated response” anti-piracy statute, the first time an internet user is suspected of stealing content, he will be warned via email. The second offense will deliver a warning by postal mail, and the third will result in the automatic suspension of his online privileges for a year.
The European Parliament this summer passed a non-binding amendment to the pan-European Telecoms Package that specifically condemns disconnection as a punishment for content piracy. The European legislative body likely was responding to France’s suggestion that the bundle of international telecoms laws be amended to include such a measure. French lawmakers were undeterred, however, and proceeded with their own plan instead of a rival measure that would have replaced the disconnection provision with a fine, as the rest of the European Union favors.
Internet service providers have protested the measure since it was mentioned in July, saying the proposed law would put on their shoulders the entire burden of policing the internet for copyright violations.
Although the bill passed the Senate on a resounding 297 to 15 vote, it still must clear the National Assembly before being enacted.
