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| Photo: K.L Macke |
I understand the
essential thinking behind intellectual property and copyright law in order to
safeguard a person's livelihood. I understand the concept of making an
investment in order to get a return. I understand the notions of spirit and
letter when it comes to laws, treaties, rules and regulations. Which is precisely
why I am opposed to SOPA and PIPA and am now staunchly opposed to ACTA. These seek to apply the letter of the law in a manner contrary to the spirit thereof and against the common good.
What's ACTA, you
say? If you do not know what ACTA is then you are not alone. ACTA is a global
treaty to allow corporations to censor the Internet. Apparently the US and
Canada have already signed on. I did not know that until I did some reading
today.
Here are some
extracts from a statement about ACTA by European Parliament Member Marietje Schaake:
As a Member of the
European Parliament (EP), I am concerned about the ACTA treaty in the
international trade committee (INTA).
The
Anti-Counterfeiting and Trade Agreement (ACTA) is the next controversial treaty
which may be about to become law. This is an international trade agreement
which aims to halt counterfeited products, but also affects the internet.
A wide range of
NGO's, scholars, civil society organisations, engineers, industry and activists
have expressed concern about the impact ACTA will have on online freedom and
freedom of speech. But there are also serious questions about access to
medicine and the fact that ACTA may violate international law. Certainly, the
lack of transparency of the negotiations has made it very difficult for both
civil society and the European Parliament to monitor the drafting process.
The European
Parliament has the decisive voice on ACTA and the INTA committee has the lead.
Other committees will be developing their opinions on ACTA in the coming
months.
Important dates for
ACTA in the European Parliament:
- European Commission and Member States sign ACTA on Thursday January 26th in Japan.
- 29 February/1 March: Discussion in international trade committee,
- April or May: Vote in international trade committee,
- 12, 13 or 14 June: Final vote in plenary (most important vote).
(Please note, all
dates may be changed)
What can you do?
- Educate yourself about A.C.T.A. Google Stop ACTA and find out why you should be concerned.
- Sign the Avaaz petition that will be presented to the EU Parliament. This had significant success for SOPA and PIPA. Let's make it work for ACTA.
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