Aziz Ridouan is one of the most outspoken and influential voices in France’s file-sharing wars — an anti-industry crusader known for holding his laptop over his head and declaring that he is proud to download music and movies. That’s a pretty heady role for anyone to play, much less an 18-year-old high-school student.
Over the past year, French lawmakers have found themselves embroiled in a public debate over downloading, and Mr. Ridouan has managed to insert himself into the argument. In 2004 he founded Audionautes, a nonprofit organization that offers legal assistance to Web surfers in France who are accused of pirating music. Since then his profile has grown — in large part, a consumer-rights advocate told The New York Times, "because he has an entire generation behind him." (The New York Times)
