Europeans Propose Bill Making File-Sharing by Individuals Legal

[JackSpratts]

Only commercial piracy is criminal
Joris Evers

The European Commission has presented a draft directive that punishes copyright infringement for commercial purposes, but leaves the home music downloader untouched, infuriating the entertainment industry.

The proposed directive is meant to harmonize intellectual property rights enforcement laws in the 15-nation European Union (EU). It aims to strike "a fair balance" between interests of right holders and the opportunities the Internet offers to consumers, according to Commission documents.

Criminal sanctions apply only when copyright infringement is carried out intentionally and for commercial purposes, the Commission said.

A consortium of industry groups, including representatives of the tech industry as well as music companies, declared the proposal "inadequate."

They still have time to lobby for tougher sanctions. The Commission's draft directive has to pass the European Parliament and the European Union's Council of Ministers before it is officially adopted.

http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,109148,00.asp

- js.