France plans new Hadopi piracy law
President Sarkozy admits current law 'is not perfect' and speaks of willingness to work closer with online professionals
THE FRENCH government is planning to draw up a new Hadopi anti-piracy law, after admitting that the current one "is not perfect".
President Sarkozy is also looking to set up a "digital council" to help the government better understand the internet and the needs of online businesses and creators.
The president held a lunch at the Elysée Palace yesterday with web entrepreneurs, internet service providers and bloggers to discuss developments in the digital economy.
Blogger Eric Dupin said Mr Sarkozy told guests that he realised that the Hadopi anti-piracy law that came into force earlier this year was flawed and he hoped to draw up a follow-up law that was better adapted.
The French anti-piracy body Hadopi sent out its first warning emails to web users in October, drawing attention to the fact that their account is suspected to have been used to download films or music illegally.
Later that month, Sarkozy was criticised by web users and opposition MPs when he said he wanted the internet to be better-regulated in order to curb its immoral excesses.
Newspaper 20 Minutes says the proposed conseil numérique aims to bridge "the gap that still separates the government from the realities of the internet".
Law blogger Maître Eolas, who was on yesterday's guest list, said Mr Sarkozy hoped to call a meeting of the key decision-makers in the online world during a G8 event in Deauville, Normandy, next year.
