No, pirating movies in France violates the Code de la propriété intellectuelle (CPI), exposing offenders to fines up to €300,000 and 3 years imprisonment under Article L. 335-4. The Haute Autorité pour la diffusion des œuvres et la protection des droits sur Internet (HADOPI) enforces anti-piracy measures, including graduated response warnings for repeat offenders. Since 2024, ISPs must block infringing sites within 48 hours of a court order, per Loi Sécurité et Régulation des Plateformes Numériques (SRPN).
Key Regulations for Pirating Movies in France
- Criminal Liability: Article L. 335-3 of the CPI criminalizes unauthorized reproduction or distribution, with penalties escalating for commercial-scale piracy (e.g., €500,000 fines and 5 years imprisonment under Article L. 335-2).
- HADOPI’s Three-Strike System: First detected infringement triggers an email warning; second a registered letter; third may lead to suspension of internet access (though rarely enforced post-2020 reforms) and referral to prosecutors.
- Site Blocking Orders: Since 2026 amendments to the Loi Audiovisuelle, courts can mandate ISPs (Orange, Free, SFR, Bouygues) to block access to flagged piracy domains within 48 hours, with non-compliance risking €50,000 daily fines.
Streaming or downloading copyrighted films without authorization also constitutes infringement under EU Directive 2019/790, transposed into French law via Ordonnance n°2021-1331. Civil damages may exceed €10,000 per infringement, per Article L. 335-3-1.