Assembly Votes Surprise Non on French Web Piracy Law

Sarkozy's anti-piracy campaign gets into gear

(NEWSER) - France's campaign to stop illegal downloads is well under way, with the program nicknamed Big Brother sending out warning emails to 100,000 people so far, reports the Guardian . Repeat offenders—whose details are gleaned through service providers—face fines and banishment from the web for a year. It's a pet program of President Nicolas Sarkozy and his singer wife Carla Bruni as a way to protect artists, though critics say it's a violation of civil liberties and ineffective to boot. More»

Move to stem high-tech theft raises worries about civil liberties

(NEWSER) - French internet pirates, beware. Big Brother is watching. Or, he will be if a three-strikes-and-you’re-out industry proposal backed by French President Nicolas Sarkozy moves forward, the Financial Times reports. Under the plan, ISPs would forward data on users illegally sharing files to the government, which could terminate problem internet accounts after two warnings. Critics say the plan threatens civil liberties. More»

But it's 'essential that no one felt stigmatized,' says French prez

(NEWSER) - Nicolas Sarkozy restated his support for a ban on the wearing of burkas in his country in a New Year's address today—while stressing that any decision should await the results of a parliamentary inquiry on the subject, which are expected later this month. While Sarkozy’s own party is advocating swift movement on a total ban, the Guardian reports the inquiry is likely to recommend a partial ban that applies to state buildings like post offices. More»

Prez says religious covering a sign of female 'subservience'

(NEWSER) - Nicolas Sarkozy today spoke out strongly against Islamic coverings for women, like the burka, the BBC reports. In a rare speech to parliament, which is considering a ban, the French president said, “we cannot accept to have in our country women who are prisoners behind netting. … The burka is not a sign of religion, it is a sign of subservience. It will not be welcome on the territory of the French republic.” More»

(NEWSER) - France’s parliament is making noises about banning head-to-toe Islamic women’s dress such as the burka and niqab, the Times of London reports. Opponents called the the dress “a moving prison” and a “tomb," and say it's cropping up more in big cities. If the burka is “contrary to republican principles,” a minister said, “naturally parliament would have to draw the necessary conclusions.” The nation banned headscarves from public schools a few years ago after a controversial debate. More»