EU Public Affairs Monitor - 03/11/08

French internet law clashes with EU position
"The French Senate has overwhelmingly voted in favour of a law that would cut off access to the internet to web surfers who repeatedly download copyrighted music, films or video games without paying.

Under the so-called three strikes or "graduated response" legislation - which still needs approval by the lower house before it becomes French law - illegal downloaders are first sent an email warning them of their infraction. They are subsequently sent a warning letter in the post. French senators want to force web surfers to use legal download services such as iTunes rather than pirate copyrighted content." [EUObserver]

French minister promises action
"Christine Albanel, French Minister of Culture and Communication, has told European indie group Impala that the French government will almost immediately debate a Creation and Internet law proposal to examine how to deal with online piracy.

Albanel told the group, “Of course, there is no secret plan to impose the French anti-piracy plan to the rest of Europe. I simply wish that our experience will prove an inspiration for other European states whose cultural businesses are as threatened as the French ones.” [MusicWeek]

Six Caribbean societies are working together to invigorate their countries’ creativity by stabilising Caribbean music’s place in the global economy
"When the Caribbean Copyright Link (CCL) was incorporated in August 2000, the CCL office consisted of a desk at COTT’s headquarters in Trinidad and one full-time employee. Alone, he managed a common back office for the 4 copyright societies that founded CCL—COSCAP (Barbados), COTT (Trinidad and Tobago), HMS (St Lucia) and JACAP (Jamaica)." [CISAC]

Italian fiscal police prosecute 46 for serious uploading
"Italian fiscal police have prosecuted 46 people for uploading large amounts of copyright infringing music onto the internet. Operation ‘Music Box’ was undertaken by the Guardia di Finanza of Venice, with the assistance of local industry anti-piracy group FPM." [IFPI]