MEPs back down over three strikes

Posted on 5 Nov 2009 at 13:01

The European Parliament has agreed to drop its opposition to “three strikes”, giving the go-ahead to French and UK plans to cut off the internet connections of persistent file sharers.

MEPs had insisted that internet access is essential for the exercise of fundamental rights such as the right to education, freedom of expression and access to information.

But in a volte face that removes the last obstacle to the passage of new EU telecoms regulations, representatives of the parliament agreed to modify their objections.

But it is not all good news for the UK government, which last month set a 2011 date for the introduction of “technical measures”, including disconnection, against file sharers who ignore two warning letters asking them to desist. MEPs will insist that any measures are subject to “the principle of presumption of innocence and the right to privacy” and that “no restriction may be imposed on the fundamental rights and freedoms of end-users, without a prior ruling by the judicial authorities”.

That clashes with the the proposals put forward by Lord Mandelson, the architect of the government’s plans, which make no mention of recourse to the courts, referring instead to a tribunal, the nature and make-up of which has yet to be revealed.

The revised Telecoms Package will now go back to the parliament and European Council for final approval.

Author: Simon Aughton

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