Hadopi starts consultation for new legal measures against illegal file sharing sites

Hadopi, the French authority in charge of battling online copyright infringement, starts a new phase in their battle against illegal file sharing sites as mentioned in its press release. By starting a new phase, Hadopi wishes to establish technical, economic and legal measures to prevent the distribution of illegal copies of copyright protected works through file sharing sites.

Now, Hadopi starts a discussion with those likely to be affected by the strategy such as file sharing sites, copyright holders and ISPs, but also intermediaries such as online payment providers and advertisers. The purpose of the discussion is to determine the limits of current legislative tools and measures and to propose amendments if the current measures seem to fail. In order to achieve this goal, it’s necessary to cooperate with payment providers and advertisers with respect to the financial aspect of illegal file sharing sites.

However, it’s unclear which measures Hadopi will introduce, because they will likely depend on the consultation’s conclusion. At this moment, the consultation period has started and Hadopi expects to have the first results thereof at the end of the first quarter of 2012.

Hadopi’s press release can be read here (in French).

Read more about Hadopi on FutureofCopyright.com:

• 'Three strikes' policy in France is paying off
• French Three Strikes: half a million warnings sent as First Strike
• First websites request 'Hadopi legal offer' logo

References: Hadopi, TorrentFreak.

By: Karen Groen