French To Refuse Pirates Web Access

Author	Gordon Kelly
Published	27th Nov 2007

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You've gotta love French law. On the one hand it enforces iPhone unlocking and on the other it comes up with piffle like this...

In a laughably ridiculous effort to cut down on music and video piracy, the BBC is reporting French president Nicolas Sarkozy has said the country will trial a scheme whereby convicted pirates have their web access removed!

Describing it as a "decisive moment for the future of a civilised internet" the presumably badly informed leader said a newly created anti-piracy body has been granted the wide-ranging powers to carry out such action and that an agreement is in place between French ISPs, record companies and film makers.

The body will publish monthly results of its anti-piracy actions to access the effectiveness of the policy. In return for agreeing to monitor net use music and film companies have agreed to 'try' and speed up the introduction of DRM-free offerings.

John Kennedy, Chairman & CEO of IFPI - the organisation which represents the recording industry worldwide, somewhat predictably said: "This is the single most important initiative to help win the war on online piracy that we have seen so far. President Sarkozy has shown leadership and vision."

Well yes and no and more no and yet more no.

You see while looking to replace the draconian measures which have file sharers handed life crushing fines and prison sentences is to be applauded there's a huge civil rights issue here. For a start, does this entail both home and office access? What about mobile broadband? How does it work in a flat share? In a family? In a small business? Theoretically the move could shut down SOHOs, damage education and hurt the national economy.

It'll be back to the drawing board in 12 months...

Links:
Beeb story
IFPI Press Release (Sycophantic prose warning)
UFC Que Choisir