The Hindu News Update Service
News Update Service
Friday, June 12, 2009 : 1715 Hrs
Internet access 'is a fundamental human right'
London (PTI) The Internet has become such a part of today's life, that it is
now considered a necessity rather than a luxury. And, now a French court has
ruled that access to the world wide web is a fundamental human right.
"Under the Declaration of 1789 (founding principles of the Republic set down
after the French Revolution), every man is presumed innocent until proven
guilty.
"The Internet is a fundamental human right that cannot be taken away by
anything other than a court of law, only when guilt has been established there,"
the Constitutional Council in France has ruled.
The court's pronouncement came in the wake of a ruling on legislation against
pirates stealing copyrighted music, and video and films from the Internet,
the 'Daily Mail' reported.
Under the rule, pirates would be given three emailed warnings before having
their access to the net cancelled. But the court struck down what would have
been one of the world's toughest laws against illegal downloading.
Laurent Bedoue, Head of the French magistrates union, said: "They approved 90
per cent of the text of the law, but eroded 90 per cent of its spirit.
"But ruling that every illegal downloading case must go to court, it has wiped
the law off the statute books. With an estimated 180,000 cases a year, there
is no way each one could be taken to court anyway without the most vast
expense."
The ruling is said to be a severe blow to President Nicolas Sarkozy, who
lobbied to get the legislation passed, and French First Lady Carla Bruni, who
has
recorded three pop albums which can be downloaded from the net.
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