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hbgator

Fri 23 Nov, 2007


France set to cut Web access for music, film pirates

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Internet users in France who frequently download music or films illegally risk losing Web access under a new anti-piracy system unveiled on Friday.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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The three-way pact between Internet service providers,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> the government and owners of film and music rights is a boon to the music industry,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> which has been calling for such measures to stop illicit downloads eating into its sales.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Under the agreement <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>-<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>-<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> drawn up by a commission headed by the chief executive of FNAC,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> one of France's biggest music and film retailers <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>-<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>-<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> service providers will issue warning messages to customers downloading files illegally.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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If users ignore those messages,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> their accounts could be suspended or closed altogether.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"We run the risk of witnessing a genuine destruction of culture,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> French president Nicolas Sarkozy said in a speech endorsing the deal.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"The Internet must not become a high-tech Far West,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> a lawless zone where outlaws can pillage works with abandon or,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> worse,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> trade in them in total impunity.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> And on whose backs?<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> On artists'<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> backs,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> he added.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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An independent authority will be set up and put in charge of deciding when to issue Internet users with <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"electronic warning messages.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> The authority will be supervised by a judge.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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The deal also creates obligations for film and music companies,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> who pledge to make their works available online more quickly and to remove technical barriers such as those that make music tracks unreadable on certain platforms.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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The international recording industry hailed the move.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"This is the single most important initiative to help win the war on online piracy that we have seen so far,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> John Kennedy,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> head of the industry's trade body IFPI,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> said.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"President Sarkozy has shown leadership and vision.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> He has recognized the importance that the creative industries play in contemporary western economies,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Kennedy said in a statement.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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French consumers'<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> groups and politicians,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> however,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> have said the deal,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> which was signed by several companies on Friday,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> is too restrictive.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Consumer group UFC Que Choisir said in a statement that the deal was <b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"very tough,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> potentially destructive of freedom,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> antieconomic and against digital history,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> arguing that tough anti-piracy penalties are already in place.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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Sarkozy said it would take time for the effects of the new system to become clear,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> but it would achieve its aims.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>
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<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"If it works,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> we will carry on the same way.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> If it does not work well enough,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> we will take the measures to obtain results,<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>"<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b> Sarkozy said.<b style="color:#FFA34F"></b>