EU votes on file sharing

No to "three strikes and you're out" policy

29 September 2008 13:13 GMT / By Katie Scott

The European Union has avoided controversy (but annoyed the French) by voting no to a policy that would have seen internet users cut for illegally downloading copyright material from the internet.

The "three strikes and you're out" policy is already being adopted in France, policed by the country's internet service providers.

It is part of a wider bid to try and discourage internet users from downloading copyright content including movies and music - from websites such as The Pirate Bay.

However, EU politician voted against adopting the policy.

And also voted against amendments to what it now being called The Telecoms Package, that would have seen ISPs made to police internet usage.

EU officials did, however, vote in the third and final amendment, which concerned the importance of people to have access to digital content.