France's somewhat controversial loi Hadopi law (the "three strikes and you're out" approach to dealing with unlawful file-sharers and internet-enabled copyright infringers) has been struck down by the Constitutional Council as being unconstitutional.

In a blow to French president Nicolas Sarkozy, who had characterised the so-called "three strikes" law as a crucial weapon in the fight against online piracy, France's constitutional council has ruled that "free access" to online communications services is a human right and cannot be withheld without a judge's intervention. The council also ruled that the method of policing the web envisaged in the law breaches a citizen's right to privacy.

11/06/09