EU lawmakers end Web piracy law opposition

PARIS, Nov. 5 (UPI) -- A French Internet advocacy group has expressed disappointment the European Parliament dropped its opposition to France's "three-strikes" policy on Web piracy.

Thursday's decision by the Parliament's to end its opposition to the French policy was part of negotiations on a larger telecommunications proposal for the continent, the EU Observer reported.

France has embarked on an aggressive crackdown on Internet piracy that includes barring defendants from accessing the Web.

So-called Internet rights groups said they were dismayed that the European Parliament would give up what it considers a fundamental public right in order to move along legislation that deals mainly with commercial matters.

"It is much more important to protect fundamental rights than to push for a quick agreement at any cost," said Jeremie Zimmerman of La Quadrature du Net, which has opposed the three-strikes law.