French "three strikes" law unconstitutional

France's Constitutional Council has struck down the most onerous provision of a new law meant to combat digital copyright violations by ruling that the government cannot cut off Internet service after a person is accused of three illegal downloads. The ruling weakens a law
pushed by President Nicholas Sarkozy that had stirred controversy throughout Europe. The Council, France's final constitutional authority, agreed with critics inside and outside
the country that it was unconstitutional to impose a penalty without a trial.

http://www.globalpost.com/notebook/technology/090612/french-three-strikes-law-unconstitutional