Europe backs down on piracy plans
 

The European Parliament has given the green light for member states to cut persistent file-sharers off from the net.

It has dropped an amendment to its Telcoms Package which would have made it hard for countries to cut off pirates without court authority.

It follows pressure from countries keen to adopt tough anti-piracy laws.

The French government has just approved plans which could see pirates removed from the net for up to a year.

The UK's file-sharing policy is also likely to include a clause about disconnecting persistent offenders.

An amendment to the European Parliament's forthcoming telecoms legislation was designed to protect citizens against being automatically cut off from the net.

Amendment 138 read: "Any such measures liable to restrict those fundamental rights or freedoms may only be taken in exceptional circumstances...and shall be subject to adequate procedural safeguards in conformity with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights.. including effective judicial protection and due process."

Dropping it effectively means that individual countries would be able to ask internet service providers to remove users deemed to be persistent pirates without needing a prior court order.


THE FULL STORY HERE

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8322308.stm