File sharing ban rejected by EU Parliament

The European Parliament has voted against introducing new laws that would have criminalized private individuals who choose to file share via the internet.

Infoworld reports that the proposals were rejected by a majority of just 17 votes, with 314 members voting for an amendment that killed off the bill aimed at protecting copyright over the internet by banning offenders from accessing the internet.

European Parliament spokeswoman Malene Folke Chaucheprat stated: “The vote shows that MEPs want to strike a balance between the interests of rights holders and those of consumers, and that big measures like cutting off Internet access shouldn’t be used."

However, there are fears from freedom of information groups that when France takes on the EU presidency later this year it will push to re-introduce these strict measures, which roughly mirror its own laws.