Linking to a newspaper article is a crime??

Jean Lambert MEP and yours truly at the Brussels parliament. Picture taken in 2006

From time to time a press release from the European office really catches ones attention......

Controversial anti-counterfeiting agreement must be dropped, Green MEP
demands*


Green MEP for London, Jean Lambert, has reacted with dismay at the
signing of a controversial agreement by the EU and 22 of its Member
States which could potentially impinge the freedom of electronic
communication and innovation worldwide.


The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement was created with the aim of
establishing international standards on intellectual property rights
enforcement, yet will deal with tools targeting internet distribution
and information technology, meaning people could be prosecuted for
merely sharing a link to a newspaper article or posting a video on YouTube.



The Greens/EFA Group in the European Parliament have criticised the
decision to proceed with the signing, highlighting persistent concerns
about the legality of the deal and its compatibility with EU provisions
on fundamental rights [1].  The agreement will now be handed down for
ratification by Member States and the European Parliament.



Commenting on the agreement, Jean, a member of the European Parliament
Civil Liberties Committee, said: “The Greens in the European Parliament
remain absolutely committed to ensuring that this so-called ‘agreement’
is not adopted at the expense of the rights of citizens – ACTA is a
threat to our civil liberties and must be rejected.  As the European
Parliament and national parliaments now have their say as part of the
ratification process, the Greens will push to ensure that ACTA is
consigned to history.”



Notes to Editor



1. Critics have raised serious doubts about the compatibility of ACTA
with EU law, particularly provisions on fundamental rights.  For
example, ACTA encourages its signatory states to step up
co-operation with private actors, such as internet providers, for
intellectual property enforcement in the absence of any minimum
standards for legal procedures.  This opens the door to
undermining the basic rights of individuals with no protection for
those affected.  Experts have also pointed out that ACTA could
undermine access to medicines, particularly in developing
countries, which are more independent on generics but were not
even part of the negotiations.


--

Anna Rutter

Media and PR Officer to Jean Lambert, Green MEP

Can Mezzanine

49-51 East Road

London

N1 6AH



Office: 020 7250 8417

Mobile: 07917 881648

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Tags croydon, greenparty