Paris - The French Senate Wednesday overwhelmingly voted into law a controversial measure that will cut off internet access to web surfers who repeatedly download copyrighted music, films or video games without paying.

The measure passed by a vote of 189 in favour and only 14 opposed, with the opposition Socialists boycotting the vote in protest.

On Tuesday, the bill was approved by the National Assembly with a vote of 296 to 233, with 40 members of the ruling UMP party voting against it or abstaining.

Strongly supported by President Nicolas Sarkozy and a broad array of French artists, the law is now likely to go into effect by autumn, but technical problems could delay internet cut-offs until at least the beginning of 2010.

Under the "three strikes" legislation, illegal downloaders are first sent an e-mail by a new government watchdog agency warning them of their infraction.

A second infraction will provoke a second e-mail as well as a registered letter. Internet cut-off follows a third illicit download within a year.

The law could become a powerful precedent for those who want to come to grips with internet piracy, but it could also provoke a conflict between France and the European Union.

Last year, with the French law in its sights, the European Parliament approved an amendment to a telecoms bill that outlawed internet cut-offs.

On May 6, the body overwhelmingly rejected a compromise that would have allowed France and other like-minded governments to cut off internet access.(dpa)