The so-called Hadopi law - which contained a “three strikes and you are out” provision for disconnecting repeat offenders -- was opposed by the Socialists, even though many of their traditional supporters in the media and artistic communities supported it. Socialist deputies are now stressing that new measures will need to be found to crack down on illegal downloads of films or music.

While Sarkozy works on alternatives, such as a special division of judges specialising in copyright law, the rest of the legislation will move ahead, according to Christine Albanel, Culture Minister. This includes plans to create an Internet High Authority, would go ahead and the first warnings to illegal downloaders would be issued this autumn. The authority will rely on online surveillance by copyright owners - usually film and music companies - to identify internet pirates.

Unless new legislation is passed, disconnecting copyright violators will now have to be submitted to a judge. Given France’s lumbersome judicial system, enforcing the law against illegal file-sharing is likely to be very limited.