News
BackThe list of criticisms concerning the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is long. In addition to the dissatisfaction with non-transparent negotiations there are also concerns about ambiguous provisions. Many critics fear that ACTA could result in limiting the freedom on the internet. Now the trade committee of the European Parliament has voted to reject the treaty.
The indication had been for quite some time that the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement ACTA would be rejected by a majority of trade committee members. Yesterday afternoon, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht briefly joined the trade committee to urge MEPs to wait for the evaluation of the Court of Justice of the European Union and to postpone the vote. However, a relevant amendment was rejected. 19 MEPs voted in favour of rejecting the treaty; only 12 MEPs made up of representatives of the European People’s Party and the European Conservatives voted against the rejection. A coalition of interests consisting of Social Democrats, Greens, the Left and Liberals showed ACTA the Red Card.
Prior to the trade committee in charge declaring its rejection of ACTA this week, the committees on law, internal affairs, industry and development had already rejected the treaty. The final vote of the European Parliament is due to take place in the plenum in the beginning of July.
Prior to the trade committee in charge declaring its rejection of ACTA this week, the committees on law, internal affairs, industry and development had already rejected the treaty. The final vote of the European Parliament is due to take place in the plenum in the beginning of July.