French President Sarkozy Accused of DVD Piracy

Known for his anti-piracy views and behind the recently approved Hadopi three strikes law, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has once again been accused of being the pot that called the kettle black. According to Huffington Post via Switched, a French newspaper is reporting that Sarkozy illegally made 400 copies of a DVD and gave them to diplomats at a conference.

The film in question is a 52-minute documentary on Sarkozy, himself, called 'A visage decouvert: Nicolas Sarkozy.' The distributor only gave the president 50 copies, which, apparently, just wasn't enough. Sarkozy burned a few hundred more, but didn't stop there, either. The President, or whoever actually made the copies, worked up a new DVD jacket and replaced manufacturer Galaxie Presse's logo with that of Sarkozy's own presidential 'AV Service.'

permalink (October 12th, 2009)

France passes harsh anti-P2P three-strikes law (again)

The French legislature today passed into law a second version of the ultra-controversial HADOPI "three strikes" law that targets illegal Internet file-swappers. arstechnica reports.

The revised proposal does address the concerns of the "Sages" who sit on France's Constitutional Council who objected to the first version of the law, but it does little to mollify critics. Internet disconnections of up to a year can be ordered by a single judge in a "streamlined" proceeding, while Internet users who fail to "secure" their connections can also be punished if other people use those connections to exchange copyrighted material.

Related: -- French "3 strikes" law returns, now with judicial oversight! -- France govt goes into spin mode to salvage three-strikes law -- France ignores EU and passes antipiracy law -- Once Again, France Will Vote on Piracy -- EU undermines Sarkozy's plan to to Fight Illegal Downloads -- French reject Internet Piracy Law -- Sarkozy move to punish illegal downloaders sparks liberties row -- Assembly approves Sarkozy plan for French television -- European Parliament says "no" to disconnecting P2P users -- Illegal downloaders 'face UK ban' -- French plan e-mail warnings for illegal downloads permalink (September 15th, 2009)

France govt goes into spin mode to salvage three-strikes law

The French government said that it plans to go ahead with a graduated response law even after a censure from the Constitutional Council; a few tweaks and the program will be back in business. Others aren't so sure. ars technica reports.

In a statement issued yesterday, French Culture Minister Christine Albanel said that the ruling pleased her because "the principle of a pedagogical device to stop piracy was validated." Sure, there were some minor problems—like the fact that the whole setup violated the 1789 Rights of Man—but such defects can be corrected.

permalink (June 12th, 2009)