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Do you (or people with access to your network) practice illegal downloading? The Hadopi law has set up a system of warnings and penalties that can lead to the suspension of your internet line.
PROHIBITED FACTS.
The Hadopi law, which created the High Authority for the dissemination of works and the protection of rights on the Internet, aims to suppress illegal downloading of works protected by copyright as well as the offense of gross negligence, which is the leaving free or delaying the blocking of its Internet access to people practicing illegal downloads.
THE WARNINGS.
Hadopi, through the Commission for the Protection of Rights (CPD), sends a first warning email to inform the Internet user of his rights and enjoin him to stop his illegal downloads or block his Internet access to third party. In the event that the Internet user does not implement the authority’s recommendations within 6 months, he will receive a second email accompanied by a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt reminding him that he is in violation. This second warning is the last before the sanction.
PUNISHMENTS.
Following the first two warnings, the rights protection commission can decide on sanctions if ever a new illegal download is made, within one year from the sending of the second warning. The Internet user can see his Internet line cut for a maximum period of 1 year in the event of illegal downloading and for a maximum period of 1 month in the event of gross negligence. Important point however, in case of box with triple play offer, the telephone and television will not be suspended. The Internet user can present his arguments to the high authority (Hadopi) to lower the sanction. If he wishes to challenge the decision of the high authority, he can do so before the criminal court, either in the case of a file already opened against him for acts of counterfeiting,
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