EU rejects file-sharing laws

The European Parliament threw out attempts to criminalise file sharing in a plenary vote yesterday.

Although not legally binding, the 'no' vote is expected to hamper plans on the part of some governments in Europe to introduce a 'three-strikes' rule that would force internet service providers (ISPs) to ban users found sharing copyrighted files of music, TV shows or films via peer-to-peer (P2P) networks.

In a narrow vote - 314 in favour, 297 against - members of the European Parliament (MEPs) adopted an amendment to the so-called Bono Report on the Cultural Industries, which warned against over-zealous measures to protect copyright over the internet at the possible expense of civil liberties.

Malene Folke Chaucheprat, a European Parliament spokeswoman said: "The vote shows that MEPs want to strike a balance between the interests of rights holders and those of consumers and that big measures like cutting off internet access shouldn't be used."

The Open Rights Group (ORG) backed the decision and observed: "The report is not legally binding, but it does signify resistance among MEPs to measures currently being implemented in France to disconnect suspected illicit file sharers."

Unsurprisingly, the record industry was quick to condemn the decision, having originally proposed the scheme being pursued by the French government and also being considered here in the UK to ban suspected illicit P2P file sharers after three ISP warnings.

"If the aim of the report is to protect creative content, including in the online environment, we should be looking at all options available in the fight against copyright theft. Instead, this amendment suggested discarding certain options before there is even a proper debate, said Frances Moore, executive vice president of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), in a statement.

But the ORG added: "In short, and as the European Parliament have recognised today, [the proposals] are disproportionate, they lack consumer safeguards and they won't stop illicit file sharing."

It is unlikely that yesterday's vote will settle the issue, especially as France takes over the six-month rotating presidency of the European Union (EU) during the second half of this year. Many are expecting it to push for the adoption of its 'three-strikes' rule EU-wide.

The UK government has said it will initiate a period of public consultation on potential legislation sometime this spring, while protesters of such measures established a petition on the 10 Downing Street website in February.

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