'Medieval' paparazzi laws could benefit Brangelina

In this May 15, 2008 file photo, actors Brad Pitt, left, and Angelina Jolie arrive for the premiere of the film 'Kung Fu Panda,' during the 61st International film festival in Cannes, southern France.[Agencies]

Perhaps Brangelina chose southern France for its blue skies, vineyards and the availability of an estate with a moat. But there's another reason the world's most famous expecting couple was smart to come here: French law is tough on paparazzi, especially when it comes to snapping photos of children.

That could come in handy after the birth of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's twins — particularly if they hope to sell rights to the first baby pictures for millions.

In France, where the Jolie-Pitts are believed to be setting up house to prepare for the births of children Nos. 5 and 6, other celebrities have waged war on gossip magazines with relentless, precedent-setting lawsuits.

Often, the tactic pays: Monaco's royal family grossed $681,120 through lawsuits in France in 2006, the newspaper Le Figaro has reported. On top of fines, magazines are regularly ordered to slap huge "mea culpa" notices across their covers.

"This country is medieval in terms of its legislation about printing information about celebrities," fumed Loic Sellin, editor of glossy Voici magazine. "It's shameful. Absolutely everything can be considered an attack on someone's private life."