Europeans Take to the Streets to Protest ACTA
Demonstrators believe ACTA will result in censorship and affect free speech.
Thousands of people across Europe took the streets this past weekend in anti-ACTA rallies. According to the BBC, significant marches against ACTA were held in Germany, Poland, and the Netherlands, while 200 protesters gathered in central London to voice their opinions. Those against ACTA believe that the agreement will harm free speech and that it is designed with only content creators in mind.
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement has been largely criticized and garnered international attention following the high-profile anti-SOPA and anti-PIPA demonstrations earlier this year. ACTA has already been signed by numerous countries, including the United States (which signed it last October), and 22 EU member states. However, though the list of countries that have signed the agreement is long, it has not yet been ratified by any country.
The good news is that word from the Anti-ACTA camp finally seems to be getting through. The BBC reports that Germany last week revealed it would be delaying its signing of the agreement in order to "carry out further discussions." Similarly, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia have already delayed the process in their countries following pressure from Anti-ACTA supporters. What's more, ZDNet UK today reports that the president of the European Parliament has said that ACTA doesn't offer adequate protection for the rights of internet users in its current form.
"The necessary balance of... protection of copyright on the one hand, and [protection of] users' fundamental rights on the other, is not sufficiently established in this agreement. So, I think it's not good in its current form," he is quoted as saying.
Unfortunately, ACTA was finalized in November of 2010, following three years of development, so it can't be altered anymore.
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Jane McEntegart is a writer, editor, and marketing communications professional with 17 years of experience in the technology industry. She has written about a wide range of technology topics, including smartphones, tablets, and game consoles. Her articles have been published in Tom's Guide, Tom's Hardware, MobileSyrup, and Edge Up.
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amk-aka-Phantom ReplyUnfortunately, ACTA was finalized in November of 2010, following three years of development, so it can't be altered anymore.
Then cancel it, you hypocrites who keep ranting about "democracy". People don't want this crap, so STFU and get rid of it. -
nikorr If it is enacted, the airport security could go through the content of your cellphone, your laptop ... + any storage drives including CD/DVD disc's that u have burned at home, we would just loose the privacy.Reply
And if u own a dvd movie disc and u are going to fly, they can make u delete the movie or u will not board the plane! Same with music, u would have to prove that all the songs in your iPod are legal, or ...
Who would want to be subject to that. Not me. -
gokanis amk-aka-phantomThen cancel it, you hypocrites who keep ranting about "democracy". People don't want this crap, so STFU and get rid of it.The problem is that european socialism is not "democracy" in any way shape or form. Here you get shouted down by the left, over there you get fined for speaking your mind. We are well on our way there though.Reply