‘Three-Strikes’ Internet Policy Progresses In France

The French National Assembly on 2 April gave initial approval without changes to a restrictive draft law on the diffusion and protection of works on the internet known by its French acronym HADOPI, (IPW, Access to Knowledge, 23 February 2009), according to sources. Among its measures, the law implements a “graduated response” mechanism, referred to as a “three strikes” policy. After two warnings of illegal downloading, an alleged infringer’s access to internet will be suspended for a period of one to three months. Final ratification of the law is scheduled to take place on 9 April, according to French newspaper Le Monde.