French piracy rates stable as government ends three strikes law

Illicit consumption of content in France has increased slightly since October last year but remains relatively stable, with just under a quarter of consumers engaging in the practice, according to the latest study by anti-piracy authority the Hadopi. However the illicit consumption of TV series has seen a significant rise. 

The study comes as the French government moved to abolish the ‘three strikes’ anti-piracy regime created by the previous government.

According to the Hadopi study, illicit consumption of TV series grew from 9% to 13% between October and May. About 24% of users have engaged in illicit consumption of content overall, with the remainder consuming content exclusively from legal sources. A slightly lower proportion of consumers of series and movies – 71% and 68% respectively – accessed content exclusively from legal sources than was the case with music (76%), video games (82%) and books (87%).

The publication of the study followed the French government’s annulment of the part of the Hadopi law that provided for cutting the internet connection of persistent offenders. Aurélie Filippetti, the minister of culture and communication, said that the sanction was “disproportionate” and should be abolished. In practice, the measure has never been implemented, with only one recorded case of someone having their internet connection cut off by a judge.

It is expected that the government will legislate to merge the functions of the Hadopi with media regulator the CSA by the end of this year.