The French ISP ‘Free' is being accused by the rights-holders  of an ‘unacceptable failure to co-operate' as it backs out of sending the first 3-strikes warning emails issued by the Hadopi..  

‘The French law implementing 3-strikes/graduated response measures - also known as the Hadopi law -  is being challenged before it has even got off the ground as the ISP ‘Free' backs out of an agreement and refuses to forward the warning emails to subscribers.

Free decided on Monday this week that it would not transmit the warning emails, which are the first stage of the 3-strikes process under French law. This appears to be a reversal of an agreement which it is understood was made with the French Culture

Read more: French ISP 'Free' risks fine over refusal to send 3-strikes emails

The Hadopi - the French authority which oversees the 3-strikes law - has released the draft text of the warning emails which will be sent to Internet users, starting over the next few days. The warning is designed remind users of what will happen to them if their Internet subscription is used to download copyright-infringing material.

The draft text is presented by the Hadopi as a formal letter, a pdf of a printed letter-head (and presumably to be sent as an attachment). It is addressed to the Internet subscriber (not necessarily the same person as the 'user') and contains all the legal requirements as set out under the French government's graduated response / 3-strikes measures: that you Internet access has been used to make available, reproduce or access cultural works protected by copyright without the permission of the rights-holders, and that this constitutes a legal infringement; that this action could have been

Read more: Hadopi's 3-strikes surveillance obligation revealed

Up to 1000 French Internet subscribers are to get warnings next week. They will be accused of downloading a file which is susceptible of containing copyrighted material, through an unprotected Internet access. The ISPs have mysteriously caved in,  under a possible secret deal with the French government.

The first warning emails under France's 3-strikes law are due to go out in the next few days. It follows a request this week by the Hadopi (the body which oversees the law)  for the contact details of Internet subscribers based on IP addresses supplied by the rights-holders.

According to reports in the French media, the exact number of addresses requested  is not clear - it is

Read more: Strike One: Hadopi fires the first shots