European Parliament Says No to Anti-Piracy Proposals

Controversy lingers over after the file-sharing communities welcomed the news that the European Parliament has voted to formally throw out a number of anti-piracy proposals part of a recent attempt to reform the EU framework on electronic communications (telecom package).

The "three strikes and you're out" rule has been already implemented in France, with the country's ISPs support.This is included in a strategy meant to discourage internet users from swapping pirated material such as movies and music.

Not quite expectedly, EU politicians decided not to reject such a policy. Moreover, they voted against amendments included in The Telecoms Package, according to which ISPs are required to monitor internet usage.

Amendment 139 now reads:

(g) applying the principle that end-users should be able to access and distribute any content and use any applications and/or services of their choice, subject to national provisions of criminal law imposed for reasons of public policy, public security or morality

Considering the draconian measures against file sharers implemented in France and the UK, this is a much needed break from the EU - allowing member countries to settle on their own on ways to deal with the matter rather than ordering harsh solutions such as content filtering and Internet disconnection.