[…] In France, the Hadopi law, soon to be re-voted, would allow for a sliding scale of punishments up to and including cancellation of the internet connection.
But this contradicts the position of the European Parliament, which voted by 90 percent last September to urge member states safeguard rights and civil liberties, such as guaranteeing internet access.
France has tried several times to have the text withdrawn, and after several reincarnations it will finally be presented for a second reading in May. The ongoing argument over downloading shows just how complex the situation really is, shifting as it does between illegality and individual rights.
http://www.euronews.net/2009/04/17/experience-shows-internet-file-sharing-is-not-easy-to-police/