Good news for internet users – bad news for content providers (ex. IFPI and the recording industry).
The French internet proposal to create a class of digital outcast, also called “three-strikes” (or graduated response) has been turned down by the EU, both the commission (Wednesday this week), and the parliament (September 24th). According to the French proposal, internet users would have their connection cut off if they have been found to repeatedly violate copyright.
The “Bono Amendment” was approved by a large majority of MEPs and the amendment states that:
“No restriction may be imposed on the rights and freedoms of end users … without a prior ruling by the judicial authorities” – language that forbids moves such as those currently under consideration by French lawmakers.
Earlier this week, we read how Sarkozy tried to persuade Barrosso to kill the internet decision in a letter. But Reding has different opinion. She said (according to the EUobserver):
“that the parliament’s amendment was an important re-statement of citizens’ fundamental rights, and that cutting off someone’s access to the internet also cut them off from searching for jobs, from health records and a range of other vital information.
Swedish EU parliamentarian Christofer Fjellner said in a comment: “What’s important about this decision is that now it’s clear that you can’t force [internet service] providers to ban people from the Internet without a legal process.”
Interview with Fjellner by internet activist Squaring the Net:
I wrote an article about the French proposal earlier this summer for Mandag Morgen, and you can find more info on this topic here, here, here and plenty HERE.
2 responses so far ↓
Nettmobilisering mot EU-rapport « My Blog // 16/02/2009 at 4:53 pm
[...] for brukere som blir tatt i fildeling. Denne “three strikes”-ideen er tidligere blitt avvist av både EU-kommisjonen og EU-parlamentet. Medina-rapporten inneholder også andre kontroversielle [...]
The law of the internet - Swedish pirates, copyrights and the EU « Bente Kalsnes’ blog // 17/02/2009 at 11:07 am
[...] New Zealand. Black Twitter profiles? You’ve probably seen them already. People all over the world, even British comedian Stephen Fry, have removed their normal avatar and put up a black box in support of the fight against internet blackout on New Zealand. They are protesting the Guilt Upon Accusation law ‘Section 92A‘ that calls for internet disconnection based on accusations of copyright infringement without a trial and without any evidence held up to court scrutiny. This is due to come into effect on February 28th unless immediate action is taken by the National Party (anyone remember Sarkozy’s “three strikes and out”?). [...]