EU's Reding: Opposes Internet Cuts For Copyright Infringement
BARCELONA -(Dow Jones)- The European Commission would oppose the Spanish
government if it cuts the Internet access of users that download copyrighted
material, the European Commission's top telecommunications policymaker, Viviane
Reding, said Monday.
"If Spain cuts off Internet access without a procedure in front of a judge, it
would certainly run into conflict with the European Commission," Reding said in
a conference about telecommunications regulation.
Reding added Spain should consult with the European Commission before
implementing this kind of legislation.
"We need to find more modern ways to protect intellectual property and
artistic creation, but repression alone will not alone solve the problem."
Earlier this month, the European parliament agreed that those suspected of
using the Internet for downloading copyrighted material, can't have their
Internet access cut off without a prior hearing.
Spain has one of the highest rates of file sharing of copyright-protected
material in the European Union, analysts say.
The Spanish government has said it is studying new mechanisms or legislation
to protect intellectual property rights on the Internet, but hasn't provided
more detail.
-By Jason Sinclair, Dow Jones Newswires, 34 913958127, jason.sinclair@
dowjones.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
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