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EU Rejects Law To Cut Pirates Off From Their ISP

Posted by Soulskill on from the leave-me-tubes-alone,-arrrr dept.

MJackson writes "Europe has rejected plans to allow ISPs to disconnect users suspected of involvement with illegal file-sharing. In its final vote, the European Parliament chose to retain amendment 46 (138) of the new Telecoms Package by a majority of 407 to 57. Amendment 46 states that restrictions to the fundamental rights and freedoms of Internet users can only be put in place after a decision by judicial authorities. However, network neutrality remains unprotected."

3 of 210 comments (clear)

  1. illegal file-sharing? by Finallyjoined!!! · · Score: 5, Informative

    As far as I'm aware it's not "illegal" to share files. It may breach someone's copyright, but it's not "illegal".

    --
    If I had an Ass, I'd call it Fanny Bottom, then I could slap my Ass; Fanny Bottom, on the Arse.
    1. Re:illegal file-sharing? by Kjella · · Score: 5, Informative

      It's illegal because it's against the law. What it isn't is criminal.

      Unless you hit one of criminal copyright infringement laws. For example, all the people sharing Wolverine before the release date (USC 17506(a)(1)(C) if you wanna look it up). Or everyone distributing more than 1000$ retail value in less than six months, which is easily achieved just by sharing the Adobe CS4 Master Collection once - that's the (B) section. I think if you had perfect knowledge of all file sharing quite a few people would reach criminal standards under current copyright law...

      --
      Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
  2. Re:An American Concept by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    "Innocent until proven guilty" is not an American concept. America's legal system was derived wholesale from the British legal system. The criminal burden of proof was established long before America was even its own country.