France clamps down on Internet piracy

PARIS (AFP) — France moved Wednesday to clamp down on Internet piracy with a bill that would set up a new agency to track down cybersurfers who illegally download music, videos and movies from the web.

Culture Minister Christine Albanel presented the bill to cabinet, saying it was not about "policing" the web but rather encouraging responsible use of the Internet.

The legislation would set up a new administrative body that would receive complaints from the music and film industry and track down offenders through Internet service providers.

An e-mail warning would be sent to suspected downloaders followed by a registered letter. After two strikes, offenders would risk losing their Internet subscription for up to a year.

"There is no reason that the Internet should be lawless," President Nicolas Sarkozy told the cabinet meeting, the government spokesman said.

Albanel said the bill was balanced and "takes an essentially preventive ...