ACTA gets thumbs down from European Parliament committee - a fatal blow?

EP committee rejects ACTA photo EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

The Industry Committee, Development Committee, Civil Liberties Committee and Legal Affairs Committee have all previously voted to reject ACTA as well claiming that it fails to respect the EU’s fundamental rights on freedom of expression.

Opponents also say the treaty, already signed by Poland and United States among others, aims at imposing new criminal sanctions, and possible online censorship in the name of copyright protection.

Supporters say the agreement would be effective in fighting online piracy.

After street protests in many European cities - with the largest crowds seen in Poland - ratification by national parliaments of the agreement was halted in some of EU member states, including Poland.

The European Commission asked the European Court of Justice last March to check whether ACTA complies with the EU’s fundamental rights and freedoms such as freedom of expression and information, data protection and the intellectual property rights.

In order for ACTA to become binding in the whole EU it should be ratified by the European Parliament as well all the 27 member states.

The European Parliament is scheduled to vote on it during its plenary session in July. (di/pg)