French Say “No!” to Draconian Piracy Bill

Looks like the music industry just got another kick in the teeth, this time curtosey of my old enemies, the French (No thanks to Sarkozy though, the b******).

I have to say though, that even though it hasn’t been passed (yet at least, I’m sure they’ll have another whack at it) I find the idea somewhat disturbing. Not in an “OMFG they’re going to take my internets!” Or “Where’s my privacy!?” (Although these are certainly issues)- the problem I have lies with the punishment being doled out here for downloading music.

Cutting off someone’s internet because they’ve been downloading music just seems… well, wrong. Downloading music represents only a fraction of most file sharers uses for the internet. In terms of the number of activities people do online and the time they spend on each, I’d guess that piracy takes up very little of the whole.

Denying these people an internet connection would be a little extreme. Think about how much the internet is becoming integrated into out daily lives. People buy more and more of their goods online, use the internet to keep in touch, to keep up to date on current affairs, to provide technical support, the first thing many companies do when you require customer service is direct you to an FAQ on their site. The internet is fast becoming more of a necessary tool in our lives, rather than a luxury- and what about telecommuters? People who work from home really NEED a connection. Having that stripped away because they downloaded a file seems a little harsh.

Okay, if someone is that dependant on their connection, then in all fairness they shouldn’t be risking it on illegal activities, I’ll give you that.

Let’s look at it this way; the internet is the vector by which the crime is committed. Therefore, arguably as a computer is required to the use the internet, a person may be banned from using a PC for a year. This is the case in some countries if you’re caught hacking high level systems. How about the electricity used to power the computer? Now I’m getting a little extreme, but you get the idea. To illustrate the concept further, and point out how awful the logic is, let me give you some examples.

A person performs a ram raid on a shop (Drives a car into it to break through security), then leaves before stealing anything as he is disturbed. The person is banned from driving. As you can see, it makes sort of sense, But wouldn’t it make MORE sense to prosecute for breaking and entering, property damage e.t.c and apply the sentences for those crimes?

A criminal snatches a handbag from a lady by riding past on a pushbike so he can’t be caught. He’s banned from owning a bicycle. Again, it would make sense if the person was also prosecuted for the theft of the bag. But banning him from cycling for the crime itself? Nah.

I suppose what I’m really trying to say here is that punishment should be applied for the crime, not the method used to commit it. Piracy is piracy, be it using bittorrent, or copying CD’s without ever touching the internet. It should all carry the same penalty. Judges should have the power to put these extra punishments in place, certainly- but they should not be the standard.

Oh, and of the industry is concerned over falling profits… We’re in the middle of a recession you stupid f###s! Just be thankful you’ve got any profit at all when business left right and centre are going bust.

Why not read more on music piracy?