A European Commissioner for the first time said openly on Fridaythat the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA)is more or less dead in the water. "We are now likely to be in a world without SOPA [Stop OnlinePiracy Act] and without ACTA," Digital Agenda Commissioner NeelieKroes said in a speech to bloggers and Web entrepreneurs in Berlin. ACTA is an international anti-piracy agreement that was signed bythe European Union, the U.S. and nine other countries in January.It will enter into force after ratification by six of the signatorystates, but so far none have done so. In the E.U., the deal must beapproved by the European Parliament before it can become law. Following widespread protests across Europe, which Kroes describedas "a wake up call," most E.U. parliamentarians look set to voteagainst ACTA at a plenary session in June or July. The main concernwith the accord relates to the digital chapter, which would allowcountries to force ISPs to hand over information about theircustomers' online activities if they are suspected of breachingcopyright. In an effort to appease critics, the Commission, which negotiatedthe agreement on behalf of the E.U., has asked the European Courtof Justice to rule on whether the deal is compatible with E.U. law.Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht has urged the Parliament to delayvoting on ACTA until after it has ruled. But, as observed by Kroeson Friday, that seems unlikely to happen. The top digital agenda policy maker also criticized "out-of-daterules and practices -- like those on copyright licensing. Ofcourse, changing for the digital age doesn't mean always givingmaterial away free of charge. But it does mean we need to be opento new approaches," she said. "We need to wake up and smell the coffee," said Kroes advocating afree and open Internet. "But that is not the same as being alawless wild west." Last month, the independent European Data Protection Supervisorsaid that ACTA lacked precision about what measures could be usedto tackle infringements of intellectual property rights online andcould result in a processing of personal data by ISPs that goesbeyond what is allowed under E.U. law. Kroes comments on Friday indicate that at least some policy makerswithin the Commission also accept that the deal is dead. Follow Jennifer on Twitter at @BrusselsGeek or email tips and comments to jennifer_baker@idg.com . The e-commerce company in China offers quality products such as Rfid Inlays Manufacturer , Rfid Laundry Tags Manufacturer, and more. For more , please visit Rfid Business Cards today!
Related Articles -
Rfid Inlays Manufacturer, Rfid Laundry Tags Manufacturer,
|