A survey in France claims that consumers there support the previously reported "three-strikes" system for tackling P2P file sharing.
As previously reported, some in the music business are advocating a system whereby internet service providers issue warnings to web users who are believed to be illegally sharing unlicenced content, with the threat that if they don't heed the warnings and stop sharing they will have their net access cut off. The only problem is that the ISPs aren't so keen on the idea, and it is likely they would only take on a P2P policing role if forced to do so by government. The French government were the first to indicate they might do so, though the British government have also indicated they will consider such measures if a voluntary system cannot be agreed between the music firms and ISPs by 2009.
With the ISPs sure to fight this all the way if and when either the French or British government put forward serious proposals to make the "three-strike" system law, the French labels' collecting society SCPP are trying to seize the agenda by commissioning some research on popular opinion regarding the proposals. And in the survey conducted by research outfit ISPOS 74% of the 1010 people interviewed said they were either fully or partially supportive of the three-strikes system. 90% said they would stop illegally file sharing after two warnings, while 88% of those who already downloaded music from illegal sources said two warnings would make them change their habits. 80% said they agreed, to some extend, that artists and songwriters should be paid when their songs are downloaded, while 90% said they thought illegal downloading had had a negative impact on CD sales.
French Minister Of Culture Christine Albanel said she welcomed "the sense of responsibility of French people" revealed by the IPSOS research, adding that she knew of US and UK surveys that revealed similar opinions among mainstream consumers.
The three-strike proposals were originally expected to go before the French parliament before the summer, but it now looks more likely that they will be considered by political types in the Autumn.