The European Parliament has raised serious concerns about the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) being negotiated between the EU, US and others. This is designed to fight global infringement of intellectual property rights, counterfeiting and piracy but may in the process harm individual internet users' data protection and access rights.
Liberal Democrat European justice & human rights spokeswoman and London MEP Sarah Ludford said:
"Fighting rip-off unsafe goods such as fake medicines and car parts, or major commercial copyright and trademark infringements, is absolutely valid and essential. But the agreement risks lumping together the most trivial file-sharing by Joe Bloggs with the international criminal black market."
"Many of my constituents are deeply concerned about ACTA's implications for privacy, freedom and legality. It could require internet service providers, without a court order and based just on accusations, to disclose extensive information about 'copyright infringers' such as users illegally downloading or even to cut them off on pain of being held liable themselves."
"This would unacceptably represent the 'guilty till proven innocent' approach shamefully pursued not only by President Sarkozy but also by Britain's Labour government. But such moves are forbidden under the EU telecoms law that MEPs fought with the 27 governments to obtain. We successfully insisted that internet cut-off is banned without due process and respect for fundamental rights."
"The secrecy of these negotiations must be replaced by full transparency. While I welcome the assurance by the (Liberal) Trade Commissioner Karel de Gucht that 'the EU will not accept an obligation to disconnect people from the internet because of illegal downloads', I join the demand that all documents be made public so the wording is not in doubt. There must be no warrantless searches, no '3 strikes and out' and no confiscation of PCs, laptops or mobiles."
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