France: pirates are not threatened with an internet ban
Pirates in France no longer have to fear having their Internet access blocked. The country's highest constitutional court ruled that a government bill that had already been passed was unconstitutional.
Pirates in France need not fear having their Internet access blocked after all. The country's highest constitutional court declared a government bill that had already been passed to be unlawful, a spokesperson confirmed in Paris on Thursday, according to SDA.
The planned penalty restricts the freedom of communication and is therefore not compatible with the Declaration of Human and Civil Rights from 1789. The judges also emphasized that penalties could only be imposed following a court ruling - and not, as planned, following the decision of an administrative authority. In principle, however, penalties for the illegal downloading of music, films or programs are not a problem.
The controversial law provided for persistent pirates to have their Internet access blocked for up to a year. At the same time, they could be obliged to continue paying their connection fee. The appeal to the Constitutional Court was filed by the opposition.
The EU Parliament had also recently spoken out in favor of not blocking anyone's access to the Internet without a court decision.
The planned penalty restricts the freedom of communication and is therefore not compatible with the Declaration of Human and Civil Rights from 1789. The judges also emphasized that penalties could only be imposed following a court ruling - and not, as planned, following the decision of an administrative authority. In principle, however, penalties for the illegal downloading of music, films or programs are not a problem.
The controversial law provided for persistent pirates to have their Internet access blocked for up to a year. At the same time, they could be obliged to continue paying their connection fee. The appeal to the Constitutional Court was filed by the opposition.
The EU Parliament had also recently spoken out in favor of not blocking anyone's access to the Internet without a court decision.
