The European Parliament has voted in favour of a controversial report that calls for tighter legislation when it comes to enforcing copyright laws.
The non-legislative text, drafted by French MEP Marielle Gallo, was adopted by 328 to 245 votes, leaving the way clear for the European Commission to come up with new legislation imposing criminal sanctions across the European Union. France has already criminalised the sharing of copyright files without permission.
The report calls for more co-ordination and tighter legislation for the protection of copyrighted material online and says that the existing legal framework has proven 'incapable' in this regard.
Critics of the report are extremely concerned that this will allow national authorities to clamp down on private individuals downloading content for non-commercial purposes rather than targeting criminal groups.
However many EU member states, including the UK, are in favour of more hardline laws - the so-called 'three strikes' rule, which would see internet users' connections cut off if they are caught illegally file-sharing.The 'three-strikes' rule makes up part of the Digital Economy Act, which was passed by the government earlier this year. Ofcom, which was appointed by the government to oversee the measures to combat illegal file-sharers, has already drafted a code of practice, which is expected to come into force some time next year.
Ireland has also already adopted this approach after the country's main ISP, Eircom, was put under legal pressure by IRMA, the music rights group. France's version of the law, known as Hadopi, is not yet being enforced as the authorities wait to see what other member states decide.
Civil liberties groups and other critics of the report claim that it puts the interests of big business before individuals' rights.
"The Gallo report is an illustration of the will of the entertainment industry to try to impose private copyright police. Repressive schemes such as the 'three strikes' policies and other internet access restrictions negate fundamental rights, such as the right to a fair trial, the freedom of communication or the right to privacy," said Jérémie Zimmermann, founder of the advocacy group La Quadrature du Net, a vocal opponent of the report. The group called for citizens to take action against the move by contacting their MEPs to protest.
Comments
Pieces of 8 said: Guys no amount of picking on ISPs will stop pirates downloading music films photos games and most of all porn for free I run an adult entertainment company and my copyrighted content is downloaded for free by hundreds of pirates every day Does it bother me Hell yes Can I do anything about it No The types of people that download for free are the types of people that will not buy the product anyway so let them beHow many people can honestly say theyve never watched a pirated film or copied a music file
Simon said: Average Jo Bloggs - I believe you are mistaken Web advertising might help with the cost of hosting a site but it creates nowhere near enough revenue to cover the outlay that these people spend on their workThe iPlayer is not free either Its payed for from the License FeeYou dont get something for nothing unless you steal it
Average Jo bloggs said: these companies should provide alternative means of viewing said copyright material such as online media players if they think this will lose them money throw in advertisements to make addtional money that way Online media player like those of all major companies like the BBC already provide material to be streamed so why not profit that way
Pro photographer said: Previous should have read years of training not grainy
Pro photographer said: Youths seem to think anything on line can be stolen- my photos complete with an overprinted copyright notice on them litter social websites An acquaintance found four of his images had been used - stolen- for an election leaflet for one of the very major political parties in the last general election If someone walks into a shop and pockets a cd its shoplifting- so its ok online The constant cry is that tightened legislation will affect the individual and not criminal gangs What about the rights of creative individuals who invest a fortune in equipment - about 30000 in my case- years of grainy and my skill to produce a product which is partially sold online to honourable individuals only for a significant numbers of people to help themselves for free