Until now, when companies defending the interests of creative artists detected a computer being used for illegal file-sharing, the only option open to them was to lay the matter before the criminal courts, alleging infringement of copyright.
However, criminal proceedings and the associated penalties (up to three years imprisonment and a €300,000 fine) are completely disproportionate when applied to mass illegal downloading.
http://www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/actualites/index-9.htm
At least they recognize this:
Until now, when companies defending the interests of creative artists detected a computer being used for illegal file-sharing, the only option open to them was to lay the matter before the criminal courts, alleging infringement of copyright.
However, criminal proceedings and the associated penalties (up to three years imprisonment and a €300,000 fine) are completely disproportionate when applied to mass illegal downloading.
From: http://tinyurl.com/5npg7w [link to PDF on that site]