HADOPI Bill Adopted Tuesday By French Deputies

The much-disputed French HADOPI legislation on the diffusion and protection of works on the internet was adopted Tuesday by the French National Assembly by a majority of 296 in favour and 233 against. With Tuesday’s passage, alleged copyright infringers now face, among other things, suspension of their internet access while still having to pay for the connection. This vote comes at a time when the European Parliament has underlined its position that any limitation of the fundamental right of access to information be subject to a prior check by a judge. The French Senate is expected to vote on Wednesday and to adopt the text, according to sources. This would constitute permanent adoption by the French Parliament.