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European Parliament Declaring War Against ACTA

Posted by Soulskill on from the taking-out-the-trash dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The European Parliament is preparing to take on ACTA. A joint resolution (DOC) has been tabled by the major EP parties that threatens to go to court unless things change. The EP is calling for public access to negotiation texts and rules out further confidential negotiations. Moreover, the EP wants a ban on imposing a three-strikes model, assurances that ACTA will not result in personal searches at the border, and an ACTA impact assessment on fundamental rights and data protection."

11 of 307 comments (clear)

  1. ACTA by sopssa · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It's getting heated up in my country too. People are demanding answers from politicians, but even they don't know what the fuck is going on. ACTA is seriously the kind of secrecy movement that should not be allowed. It's good to see we actually have some backbone. My image towards EU has growth a lot with this.

    1. Re:ACTA by khallow · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Unlike the US, that has an economy that is mostly closed (despite what you may think, our import/exports make up only a small amount of GDP)

      A quarter of the US GDP is in imports and exports. It's not a small amount. Looking at the CIA World Factbook, the EU and US seem to have similar levels of imports and exports (remember interstate trade between EU members doesn't count as imports and exports from the EU itself, else we should count interstate trade between US states as well). I get that the US has 15% of its GDP in imports and 9% in exports. The EU has 11% of its GDP in imports and 13% of its GDP in exports.

  2. Three-strikes by ibwolf · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Recent polls show that most people regard Internet access as a fundamental right and considering how important Internet access has become that is very understandable.

    Thus any three-strikes law would likely be in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and be struck down by the European Court of Human Rights.

    Given that it makes sense for MEP to oppose three-strikes provisions as they can not be certain of implementing them and could potentially suffer very negative fallout for trying.

  3. An American by Das+Auge · · Score: 5, Insightful

    As an American, I say, "Thank you very much", to the EU.

    1. Re:An American by Idiomatick · · Score: 5, Informative

      Don't forget Canada and New Zealand. The leaked ACTA docs show that they were standing up for rights and good law from the beginning. The EU was going along with the US before it became public.

      Mind you, EU has two sides, parliament are the good guys in general (looking at a large number of cases). The commision (the bad side) is appointed by the EU, they fuck up pretty much everything. Parliament is elected and seem to actually fight for the people. So the shift shouldn't be too shocking. EU commision secretly fucking over the people w/ ACTA, parliament finding out and being pissed about it.

  4. And the US is .. leading the PUSH for ACTA ... sig by jgreco · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Wasn't there a time when the US led the world in freedom, liberty, and openness?

    I know I'm going to get horribly trolled for this, but damn it, it needs to be said.

  5. Europe by Lifyre · · Score: 5, Funny

    I find your ideas intriguing and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

    Sincerely,
    USA

    --
    I'll meet you at the intersection of "Should be" and "Reality"
  6. Go Canada and the EU by rrossman2 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yes, I'm an American and I find it fantastic that Canada and the EP have a damn head on their shoulders. As long as Americans believe there are ONLY TWO POLITICAL PARTIES, this country will be f'ed. Those in control have been there too long and need to be replaced. The problem is those two parties have all the money for running real political campaigns. If an independent or some other political party had the money to actually get their name out, AND (and a HUGE and) if the American people wouldn't just vote BASED ON A PARTY NAME, things in this country could be much better. As it is now, you have two real parties and one of them is basically given control of the congress and/or house so they can just push what bills they want out the door. IF American's would actually open up their mind and quit voting by party name, and IF we could get 4, 5, or 6 PARTIES into congress and house, thing would be less "This is what we (as in the controlling party) want, push it though!" to more checks and balances on the whole process. It wouldn't be a controlling group with the same ideas in charge, but a mix of ideas from a range of people.. and I have a feeling it would keep more crap like this from appearing, as well as cut back on all the bullshit tucked away in bills.

    1. Re:Go Canada and the EU by twisteddk · · Score: 5, Insightful

      The multiparty systems exists in many countries, especially here in the EU.
      And I'm sad to say that a lot of bull STILL gets passed, because for an extended period of time, several parties who jointly have a majority simply agree what laws are to be passed. It's no different than the two party system. In fact, on many levels it's WORSE, because now you have 3-4 parties who all wants a piece of the action, so everything is a compromise. And is they ever agree on something, its a political hot potatoe, and any legislation passed in a hurry is crap because noone considers the consequences.

      The only real upside is that voters CAN actually "punish" their party by voting for a different party with largly the same views, so you dont have to go from one extreme to the other. Thus its slightly more democratic, and equally bad ;)

      --
      --- To err is human... Am I more human than most ?
  7. Another nonwar by Thaelon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Can we please stop saying we're declaring war on things that aren't sovereign nations?

    Let's especially stop if they're ideas, conferences, or pieces of paper.

    --

    Question everything

  8. At least the Lisbon Treaty got something right by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 5, Informative

    It might be worth explaining for non-European readers that the balance of power between the (elected) Parliament and the (appointed) Commissioners shifted significantly as a result of the Lisbon Treaty, which recently took effect. There was plenty to worry about in that treaty, but this part, at least, they did get right.

    A similar difference in opinion between MEPs and the appointed guys explains the recent oddities about allowing the US access to bank records: that provision was pushed through by the appointed government weenies literally hours before Lisbon came into effect, and the MEPs have been working to get it fixed since the change.

    --
    If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.