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The European Parliament narrowly rejected the idea of banning file-sharing networks. Such a ban has traditionally been advocated by representatives of the music industry and other fighters for the integrity of copyright, since users of such networks often share pirated products with friends. Currently, piracy in file-sharing networks is fought in two ways. In the US, people are put on trial for this and fined thousands of dollars. In Europe the approach is somewhat different. Last November, French President Nicolas Sarkozy proposed his plan to combat online piracy. It was assumed that providers themselves should monitor what users are doing and send warnings to those who violate someone's copyright. The head of the republic proposed disconnecting users who did not respond to the first two warnings from the Internet. Sarkozy's idea aroused considerable interest abroad, and the possibility of its application was seriously considered in Great Britain and Japan. Meanwhile, the decision of members of the European Parliament cast doubt on the use of this method of combating piracy. According to the press secretary of the European Parliament, Malene Folke Chauchepra, deputies strive to “maintain a balance between the interests of copyright holders and consumers, and drastic measures such as disconnecting from the Internet should not be used.” There is now no question of banning file-sharing networks altogether, and representatives of the recording lobby, represented by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), have already expressed their disappointment. Meanwhile, the case of copyright defenders from Internet users is not yet completely lost. Firstly, the votes of the deputies were divided almost equally: 314 European parliamentarians spoke against the ban on file-sharing networks, and 297 were in favor of it. Secondly, the decision of the European Parliament is advisory in nature, and Sarkozy, who is famous for his intractable character, can continue to disconnect from the Internet those whom he wants .

The column is led by Kirill Novikov

Magazine "Kommersant Power" No. 15 of 04/21/2008, p. 64

Europe let the pirates through