PARIS, June 15 (UPI) -- A French computer user with a history of illegal downloading has been banished from the Internet for 15 days, court records say.
The court action, taken at the end of May, was a first in France, France 24 reported. The unnamed violator was also ordered to pay a 600-euro ($800) fine.
Government regulators confirmed the punishment Friday. French Culture Minister Aurelie Filippetti told PCInpact that the punishment of cutting a copyright violator from the Internet is likely to be revoked soon, with the country going to a system of fines instead.
It is unclear if the punishment can actually be imposed since the court also ordered the offender's ISP to continue to provide email access during the 15-day period. The offender can also appeal.
