Anti-piracy legislation rejected by EU

A European trade committee has rejected proposals to curb internet piracy and intellectual property infringement, describing the international treaty as “too vague.”

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Acta) was launched in 2008 with the aim to create a globalised standard system of copyright agreements, but has received a great deal of criticism by both politicians and campaigners.

Critics of the legislation claim it will infringe on civil rights, including freedom of expression and communication privacy. They have also attacked the harsh penalties the treaty would give to anyone breaking the rules.

Speaking after the vote, Peter Bradwell, a spokesman for anti-legislation organisation Open Rights Group, praised the politicians that voted against Acta: “MEPs have listened to the many, many thousands of people across Europe who have consistently demanded that this flawed treaty is kicked out. This is the fifth consecutive committee to say Acta should be rejected. It now falls to the vote of the whole European Parliament in July to slam the door on Acta once and for all, and bring this sorry mess to an end.”

However, many businesses are eager for some form of leglistlation to be brought in to protect their intellectual copyrights and protect jobs. Johannes Studinger, from the international media union UNI MEI, said: “The majority of jobs in our knowledge-based societies rely on intellectual property. Counterfeiting and piracy, including on the internet, are creating a global black market threatening the economic basis of real jobs in the creative industries. It’s a global problem that needs a global response. We need a tool like Acta.”

So far countries including the US, Australia, Japan, and Canada have signed up to the agreement, while 22 EU members have independently signed the treaty. However, with the European trade commission’s rejection, it is likely the legislation will need to be rethought.