EU can't pass 3-strike rule for illegal downloaders

The European Union (EU) couldn't come to agreement on measures to cut off subscribers from the Internet if they illegally download copyright-protected material. Instead, the debate turned into a discussion on preserving citizens' rights to information.

France and other countries had hoped to get a rule to introduce a "three strikes" law against pirates at a European level. French law says if you are caught illegally downloading copyright-protected music or movies three times, then you should be banned from the Internet.

Many parliamentarians view the French law as "draconian," said Network World, and contrary to the  citizens' fundamental right to access information.   

The UK is considering a similar idea to the French three-strikes rule, but it wants to have formal legal steps before kicking someone off, rather than going around the court system.

For more:
- Network World reports the latest in EU telecom law. Article [1].

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