I don’t normally go too deep into politics here because (1) this isn’t a politics blog and (2)….I just don’t like politics. Pretty good reasons eh? Regardless of your knack for politics however, if there’s any ounce of interest in anything digital within your head, you should be at least a little interested/worried about ACTA (anti-counterfeiting trade agreement). The repercussions from such a law have truly wide ranging effects.
For those that don’t, the main gist is that it’s a bill being drafted to supposedly stamp out piracy and make the world a happier place. In actuality, it screws over legitimate users more than ever, complete removes rights of accused with a “shoot first, ask questions later” approaches, and blatantly echoes the wishes and rules of big corporate lobbyists more-so than the wants and needs of consumers. And of course, the fact that the government is fighting tooth and nail to keep ACTA locked up behind closed doors only means it’s a lose-lose situation for end users. All-in-all, ACTA is one of the worst crafted “tech bills” in the history of man, and the US government is trying their hardest to force it upon other nations, labeling those that don’t comply as “black-listed”. But there’s hope…
One of the stronger pro-copyright/IP places on the planet — the EU — has actually pulled quite the odd move. EU Parliament voted 663 to 13 against ACTA, citing that it went against various EU laws, one chief example being the Lisbon Treaty.
MEPs will go to the Court of Justice if the EU does not reject ACTA rules, including cutting off users from the Internet “gradually” if caught stealing content.
For a body of government and peoples who are generally much stronger on copyright law than we are here in the US, it’s a huge signaling that maybe, just maybe, a few politicians out there have some common sense.
I can only hope other countries come to their senses and recognize what a grave injustice and completely one-sided affair ACTA really is, and that the only people it benefits are those on the receiving end of the settlement payments. Keep speaking out folks, someone could actually be listening…
