After extended legal battles, France's President Sarkozy finally got his way. This year will see some of the most aggressive anti-piracy action against citizens which, if ministers are to be believed, will dramatically reduce online piracy. This might be possible, if the measures weren't so easily circumvented.

After its initial adoption in May, the original version of the "3 strikes" Hadopi anti-piracy legislation was struck down by France’s highest legal authority after declaring the proposals unconstitutional. A modified version of the bill was accepted in July by the Senate and today it was passed in the National…

Peter Mandelson confirmed yesterday that illicit file-sharers could have their Internet connections severed as part of the government's aims to reduce piracy by 70% in 2 years. TalkTalk, the UK's second largest ISP, is said to be dismayed at the decision and is now threatening legal action over what it…

Last week, the French Parliament passed a new law requiring Internet service providers to cut off Internet access for persistent copyright offenders. Since the parliament voted in favor of the law, everyone - including the most fanatical critics - believed that it would easily pass through Senate and the National…