La Commission européenne estime que le mécanisme HADOPI est conforme au droit européen

Interrogée par un député européen néerlandais, la Commission européenne est revenue le 14 décembre 2010 sur l'adoption et la mise en oeuvre par la France de la loi Hadopi et de la possibilité pour un internaute de voir son accès à l'internet être coupé après deux avertissements (principe dit du "Three strikes out").

Dans sa réponse donnée par Neelie Kroes, Commissaire européen en charge de la société de l'information, la Commission européenne apporte les éléments suivants :

First, the Commission would like to recall that the regulatory framework for electronic communications as amended in 2009 provides that measures taken by Member States regarding end-users’ access to or use of, services and applications through electronic communications networks shall respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of natural persons, as guaranteed by the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and general principles of Community law. Any of these measures regarding end-users’ access to, or use of services and applications through electronic communications networks liable to restrict those fundamental rights or freedoms may only be imposed if they are appropriate, proportionate and necessary within a democratic society, and their implementation shall be subject to adequate procedural safeguards in conformity with the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and with general principles of Community law, including effective judicial protection and due process.

The French model (i.e. HADOPI or the ‘Three-Strike law’) was discussed between the French authorities and the Commission on several occasions. In the absence of any complaint and based on the information currently at its disposal, the Commission has no grounds to believe that the French scheme is contrary to EC law.

The French highest jurisdiction — the Constitutional Council — expressly recognised in its decision of 10 June 2009(2) that access to the Internet nowadays is part of the fundamental freedom of expression and communication to the extent that Internet services allow participation in democratic life and the expression of ideas and opinions. As it touches upon a fundamental freedom, Internet access can only be suspended through a decision of a judicial authority.

Finally, the Commission is not aware of any attempt from the French authorities to export their national approach to copyright enforcement to other Member States.

The existing acquis does not impose any ‘Three-Strike rule’ or graduated response systems but is flexible to allow different EU countries to have different approaches, while fully respecting fundamental rights, freedoms and civil liberties. In this respect, the text of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is fully in line with the EU acquis.

La Commission européenne apporte ainsi deux précisions. Tout d'abord, et en l'absence de toute plainte ou recours devant les instances communautaires, il apparaît que la législation française demeure compatible avec le droit communautaire. Ensuite, selon la Commission, la France ne chercherait pas à étendre son approche de la protection des droits de propriété intellectuelle dans les autres Etats membres.

Source : Réponse écrite de Neelie Kroes à Laurence J.A.J. Stassen, 14 décembre 2010