IP Democracy: French Assembly Legalizes File Sharing

In an approach that differs from the rest of the world, the French Assembly yesterday voted to legalize file-sharing of music and films. In amendments tacked on to an antipiracy law, the French National Assembly, in a late-night, sparsely attended session, approved language that would establish a global license fee of 7 euros ($8.40) a month to allow Internet users unlimited downloads of music and video. The funds would then be distributed to the artists.

But, the controversial provisions are unlikely to last long — they passed 30 to 28, with only 10% of the 577 members of the assembly present. The government (and the ruling party UMP) has the majority votes in the Assembly and has come out against legalizing file sharing. UMP sister party UDP controls the Senate and has also opposed the legalization of file sharing.

Posted by Cynthia Brumfield on December 23, 2005 7:21 AM to IP Democracy