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Spain: No personal liability for pirates

January 25, 2011

The Spanish government has watered down parts of its anti-Internet piracy bill in a move designed to win opposition support. The Conservative Popular Party and a Catalan nationalist group have now agreed to back the bill when it goes to the Senate on February the 9th.

Culture Minister Ángeles González Sinde has conceded that individual Internet users will not now be prosecuted for illegal downloads. A revised provision means that only private companies can face prosecution if a judge finds there is enough evidence.

According to diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, the US government lobbied strongly for Spain to introduce legislation cracking down on Internet piracy.

Categories: Articles, Content, Piracy