The European Parliament Rejects ACTA: The Impossible Becomes Possible |
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Wednesday July 04, 2012
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As the public pressure mounted, the talks dragged along with participating countries increasingly defensive about the secrecy and the substance. ACTA was ultimately concluded in 2010 - years after the initial target - and some of the most troubling provisions were abandoned. Yet the final agreement still raised serious concerns, both for the way the agreement was concluded as well as for the substance. When ACTA was formally signed by most participants in October 2011 in Tokyo, few would have anticipated that less than a year later, the treaty would face massive public protests and abandonment by leading countries. But with tens of thousands taking to the streets in Europe earlier this year, ACTA became the poster child for secretive, one-sided IP agreements that do not reflect the views and hopes of the broader public. This morning, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly against the agreement, effectively killing ACTA within the EU. The vote was 478 against, 39 in favour, with 165 abstentions This is a remarkable development that was virtually unthinkable even a year ago. Much credit goes to the thousands of Europeans who spoke out against ACTA and to the Members of the European Parliament who withstood enormous political pressure to vote against the deal. The European developments have had a ripple effect, with the recent Australian parliamentary committee recommendation to delay ACTA ratification and the mounting opposition around the world. ACTA is not yet dead - it may still eke out the necessary six ratifications in a year or two for it to take effect - but it is badly damaged and will seemingly never achieve the goals of its supporters as a model for other countries to adopt and to emerge as a new global standard for IP enforcement. That said, ACTA supporters will not take today's decision as the final verdict. In the coming weeks and months, we can expect new efforts to revive the agreement within Europe and to find alternative means to implement its provisions. That suggests the fight will continue, but for today, it is worth celebrating how the seemingly impossible - stopping a one-sided, secretly negotiated global IP agreement - became possible. Comments (13)
Danux
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Markets The EU & India comprise two markets totaling approximately 1 700 000 000 people. I don't think it can be claimed that ACTA is bringing Canada in line with IP rights and piracy laws to comply with international markets, any more. |
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And here in Canada It is only a few hours too late...thanks to our corrupt government! The fight now is in the markets and the courts. We must never stop hacking, rooting, jailbreaking, and sharing, and never pay the studios and labels for media, until the last RIAA lawyer can't even afford the bus fare to get to court... |
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I just have to say ... Today is my 25th Wedding anniversary, they found the Higgs (probably) and now ACTA is about as potent as toilet paper. A fine day indeed! |
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Next in line, the TPP! It's now time to attack the even more secretive TPP, which under the guise of a trade agreement is nothing more than another way to subvert democracy. |
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Im with Crockett... This monday, after a conference in Spain with Lawrence Lessig, we were feeling quite depressed by the impotence to bring positive change in the light of political systems that spoil any decent idea or movement. And suddenly there is finally some evidence of the Higgs Boson, and more importantly ACTA is dead an buried. Despite what the copyright nazis may think, say, argue or flush their influence and trillions at, sucha debastanting rejection by a parliamente, made up not of individuals, but political groups, is a blow from which I do not see how they can recover... Politics, the system, was the only way to exert their status quo, and without the support of politicians, they may well pack their bags and retire, which is about time... Be sure about one thing, every year we have more and better content, and that trend is going to be strengthend by internet, with more choice, more competition, faster change... Industry lobbyists should find dig themselves a hole now!!! Congratulations to all. WE ARE LEGION WE ARE ANONYMOUS. |
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what will people of USA do ? now people of EU have won. what will people of USA do against ACTA ? |
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CETA People, TPP is indeed just as horrible but let's not forget CETA, Comprehensive Economic trade agreement between the EU and Canada. We should write (and I already sent off e-mails) to Greens/EFA MEPs why they would have, in their names, our copyright *extended by 20 years* when they themselves support a copyright limited to a *total of 20 years* after publication. The Europeans themselves should worry about the IPRED 'refresh'. Today is a day of celebration and reflection. This battle was fought hard (Europeans taking to the streets in mid-winter) and won. Tomorrow, the war continues. |
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... Pedro, Certainly hacking, cracking and sharing is one response to the **AA but might I suggest instead just not buying their stuff? There are many worthy artists who have thrown off the shackles and care about their fans ... support them instead. |
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... Crockett, I'm happy to extend your analogy by saying that ACTA has reached the fullness of used Toilet PaPer. The hope of the USTR has been that ACTA could be ratified without going to Congress. It can have no certainty in a Congress whose fingers were already burned over SOPA/PIPA, where they were previously clueless about any possible opposition. One positive outcome has been a general public awareness about international trade agreements, and their pervasive effects on personal lives. |
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Harper... Harper never actually listens to what the people want. Internet should be open and free. Downloading and sharing is an important part of that. |
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pus linking is legal linking is legal,(good) the root servers stay stateside, (bad), the pacific free-trade agreements are getting signed (bad for manufacturing, good for intellectual-prop exporters), parody is legal, and breaking locks get heavier penities than killing people. Onward. Lets get fox news off the air. |
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