'Three strikes' policy in France is paying off

This week Hadopi, the organization that regulates the French three strikes policy, announced their first figures. In France six-hundred-fifty thousand internet accounts received a first strike, forty-four thousand internet accounts received the second strike and sixty internet accounts are in the final stage of the process.

The first warnings were sent by email eighteen months ago. In the first warning, Hadopi points out that it’s aware of copyright infringement through the internet account. Consequently the account owner is asked to cease his infringing conduct.

Untill now, six-hundred-fifty thousand internet accounts received a first warning. When the infringing conduct is not ceased, the owners of the account receives a notification with a second warning. As of yet, forty-four thousand of the six-hundred-fifty thousand internet accounts received a second warning.

After the second warning, the infringing conduct is not ceased on sixty internet accounts. As a result, Hadopi is forced to send a third warning to the accounts’ owners. This means that procedures can be initiated to close off internet access. Should the judge agree with Hadopi, the fine for the infringing conduct can lead up to € 1,500.

Untill now no court cases have been initiated by Hadopi. Given the number of internet accounts that will receive a thirth warning, it is possible that Hadopi will start legal proceedings soon.

Read more about Hadopi on FutureofCopyright.com:

• French Three Strikes: half a million warnings sent as First Strike
• First websites request 'Hadopi legal offer' logo
• 22% of French downloaders states to have stopped because of Hadopi

Reference: TorrentFreak

By: Karen Groen