French lawmakers reject 'Net law

Bill aimed to disable internet for piracy users

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

PARIS -- French lawmakers unexpectedly rejected a bill Thursday that would have cut off the Internet connections of people who repeatedly download music or films illegally.

The bill would have also created the world's first government agency to track and punish those who steal music and film on the Internet.

The music and film industry had supported the bill, aimed at boosting revenue for the struggling sector and cracking down on illegal downloading. Critics said it would be too tough to apply and encroach on freedoms.

The Senate approved an earlier version of the bill. New measures were added in the lower house of parliament, the National Assembly, which passed it last week after a month of contentious debate.

On Thursday, lawmakers from both houses met to approve the final wording. The bill had widely been expected to pass into law, and few people showed up to take part in the vote, apparently assuming it was a foregone conclusion.

Instead the bill was rejected by a vote of 21-15. Most of those voting were opposition Socialists, who had opposed the measure from the outset.

The government plans to resubmit the measure after legislators return from their Easter break on April 27, said Roger Karoutchi, the junior minister in charge of the government's relations with the parliament.

Under the legislation, users would receive email warnings for their first two offenses, a certified letter for the next, and would have their Web connection cut for any subsequent illegal downloads.

-- Associated Press