The French have gone and done it. The plan, by mini President Sarkozy, to disconnect users internet connection if they’re found downloading or sharing files illegally was approved by the same assembly that initially rejected it. The law, commonly referred to as the ‘three strikes’ law, will mean that pirates will be given two chances to stop their illegal behaviour before having their internet connection cut off. This is despite the EU deciding that such laws are prohibited among EU members.
There are several points of view that people will take here, some of which I have discussed earlier. Initially it may seem fair, these people are being punished for doing wrong, essentially stealing from musicians and the film industry by sharing files illegally over the internet. The problem is in punishing these people fairly.
The amendment to the EU regulation states that an ISP will require a court order to disconnect users. This is something that the French law essentially bypasses, giving this power to a government created agency that will be able to disconnect users directly. Drivers who break road rules have a right to a trial, in fact, pretty much anyone who breaks any law has a right to a trial. Why is the internet any different?
The whole idea is that somehow this will stop illegal file sharing and make people turn to buying music and movies again. Is this not a contradiction. Let’s kick people off the internet so they’re forced to buy things offline? What about a recent study showing that pirates are 10 times more likely to buy music online. It isn’t really harnessing the opportunity to sell these items online.
At least the UK are looking at other options, such as slowing these users internet connection as punishment. These options haven’t been detailed as of yet, but it is promising that other countries are not willing to follow in the same footsteps. In Spain, a political leader is threatening legal action if a similar ‘three strikes’ law is implemented.
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