Last year, the Internet began to be seen as a basic human right and some countries have instituted legal means of guaranteeing that the vast majority of their citizens have access to a quality Internet connection. Other countries, though, are going the other way, hindering their citizen’s web use and in some cases moving to disconnect them altogether. In France, the heavily criticized and disputed, so-called “three strikes” law has come into effect starting January 1st. Its backers are quick to boast the laws unabridged effectiveness, but common sense points the other way.
The way it stands, illegal file-sharers in France have chances to see the error of their ways and make amends before being sent before a judge and possibly having their Internet ‘privileges’ removed. First-time offenders will be sent an email by the newly formed Higher Authority for the Distribution of Works and the Protection of Copyright on the Internet (HADOPI) warning them to cease their illegal activities. How exactly the agency will determine users’ email addresses, or even harder, the address they are actively using remains to be seen.
If the miscreants continue to show utter disregard for the law and the rights, and wallets, of the media industry, they will be sent an actual letter urging them to stop the… (read more)