Some refreshingly good news for a change – news in that the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly against the controversial anti-copyright trade agreement (ACTA) today, 663-13. The agreement, being debated in strict secrecy has been previously discussed on this blog and what we know if its provisions is chillingly disturbing.
Countries participating in the talks have continually refused to make public any details surrounding the agreement and our only source of information has been via leaks over the past two years.
via http://www.boingboing.net/2010/03/10/eu-parliament-votes.html
The European Parliament resoundingly voted against the secret
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), in a resounding 663 to 13
tally. The parliamentarians defied the EU executive and threatened to
take the issue to the European Court of Justice if the EU doesn’t
reject ACTA’s provisions on disconnection for infringement and other
enforcement provisions.A strong majority of MEPs (663 against and 13 in favour) today voted
against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), arguing that
it flouts agreed EU laws on counterfeiting and piracy online.
In addition, the Parliament’s decision today states that MEPs will go
to the Court of Justice if the EU does not reject ACTA rules,
including cutting off users from the Internet "gradually" if caught
stealing content.Though MEPs cannot participate in the ACTA talks, without the consent
of the European Parliament, EU negotiators will have to go back to the
drawing board and come up with a compromise.
