Strike one for French anti-piracy agency

France’s controversial ‘three strikes’ enforcement agency, known as Hadopi, which, if certain French laws are passed will have the power to sever people’s Internet connections if accused of copyright infringements, has committed a blunder of its own with the release of its new logo.

The new logo used an unlicensed font which had been created for Telecom France, and had not been authorised for use by the agency.

The gaff was first noticed by designer Francois Porchez, who created the font, known as ‘Bienvenue’, exclusively for the French telecommunications company.

This isn’t the first time President Nicolas Sarkozy, who is staunch supporter of heavy penalties for copyright infringers and who helped to create the original three strikes plan, has been accused of copyright breaches.

There was also the use of an unlicensed song (by US band MGMT) in a clip posted on You Tube as well as issues around his own party pirating copyrighted DVDs.

The agency has since issued an apology. No news yet on whether those accused of other infringements will be granted the same opportunity.