France Disconnects First File-Sharer From the Internet

After three years and millions of warning letters, the French three-strikes anti-piracy law "Hadopi" has resulted in the first Internet disconnection. The customer in question will be without Internet access for two weeks and must also pay a 600 euro fine. Quoting officials, PC Inpact reports that the file-sharer was caught sharing one or two files and failed to respond to earlier warnings. If no appeal is filed within 10 days the file-sharer's Internet provider will move forward with the disconnection.

 For 15 days the customer will be denied access to the Internet, but the ISP must ensure that e-mail, instant messaging and other VOIP services continue to work. The sentencing comes at a peculiar time. Last month a nine-member panel recommended that the Government scraps the Hadopi agency, the body that currently oversees the graduated response system.