The European Commission has rejected a request from the French president that commission President Barroso work to overturn the European Parliament's decision banning the cutting of internet access to websurfers who download copyrighted films or music. President Nicolas Sarkozy last week wrote to the EU executive asking Mr Barroso's "personal commitment" to rejecting an amendment buried within the parliament's vote on a telecoms bill approved by a large majority of lawmakers on 24 September. "It is fundamental that the amendment adopted by the European Parliament be rejected by the commission," Mr Sarkozy wrote. The amendment expressly forbade maneouvres such as the cut-off of internet service as a way of addressing piracy - something currently being considered by the French government. The European bill following the vote includes language declaring: "No restriction may be imposed on the fundamental rights and freedoms of end-users without a prior ruling by the judicial authorities." This would in effect make a draft law on internet use planned by the French government null and void, as the latter stipulates that users who use the web for illegal downloading would see their internet access cut after two warning letters.
The European Commission has rejected a request from the French president that commission President Barroso work to overturn the European Parliament's decision banning the cutting of internet access to websurfers who download copyrighted films or music.
President Nicolas Sarkozy last week wrote to the EU executive asking Mr Barroso's "personal commitment" to rejecting an amendment buried within the parliament's vote on a telecoms bill approved by a large majority of lawmakers on 24 September.
"It is fundamental that the amendment adopted by the European Parliament be rejected by the commission," Mr Sarkozy wrote.
The amendment expressly forbade maneouvres such as the cut-off of internet service as a way of addressing piracy - something currently being considered by the French government. The European bill following the vote includes language declaring: "No restriction may be imposed on the fundamental rights and freedoms of end-users without a prior ruling by the judicial authorities."
This would in effect make a draft law on internet use planned by the French government null and void, as the latter stipulates that users who use the web for illegal downloading would see their internet access cut after two warning letters.
