Andre Yoskowitz
5 Nov 2009 22:13
The EU has ruled to change the Internet piracy "three strikes" bill, in an effort to give more rights to those accused of piracy.
EU Telecoms Commissioner Viviane Reding says EU lawmakers and governments are in agreement after two years of negotiations, that those accused of piracy and facing being cut off from the Internet should have the right to a trial.
The bill goes to final approval in the European Parliament at the end of the month.
Now, with the new guarantee, authorities must be able to prove that users were in fact downloading unauthorized copies of music or movies, and all alleged users are presumed innocent.
"Full due process rights will have to apply in any administrative case, except in cases of duly justified urgency, like serious crime, terrorism, child pornography," adds Spanish lawmaker Alejo Vidal-Quadras. "This is really a step forward."
"This Internet freedom provision is unprecedented ... and (gives) a strong signal that the EU takes fundamental rights very seriously. (It will) substantially enhance consumer rights and consumer choice in Europe's telecoms markets."