Europe backs down on piracy plans

Lily Allen has led an artists' campaign for a crackdown on file-sharing

The European Parliament has given the green light for member states to cut persistent file-sharers off from the net.

It has dropped an amendment to its Telcoms Package which would have made it hard for countries to cut off pirates without court authority.

It follows pressure from countries keen to adopt tough anti-piracy laws.

The French government has just approved plans which could see pirates removed from the net for up to a year.

The UK's file-sharing policy is also likely to include a clause about disconnecting persistent offenders.

MEMORY PALACE