Under the Creation and Internet Bill, a new agency will be created by the French government and tasked with identifying illegal file sharers and warning them of their actions by email and letter. If they continue to offend, their internet connection will be blocked for one year.

The bill will now go before the Senate for final approval. If passed, the legislation will make France the first country to give the go-ahead to the 'three-strikes' approach to tackling illegal downloaders.

Whether this will encourage the UK to follow suit remains to be seen. The government is currently working with a number of UK tech and entertainment companies, including , on a . The strategy is expected to be published in Lord Carter's report on June 16.

Industry bodies and trade unions such as , the and the want the strategy to include .

However the has dismissed the move.