Lead story News Online protest spills into the real world, derailing anti-piracy legislation

A series of online protests has the creators of websites and declared that would not with EU rights to freedom of stalled the progress of anti- users, who feared that websites “rush into” ratifying the treaty. expression and freedom of counterfeiting legislation in the could be shut down even if they He has also sent a letter to other the Internet. , with public were not directly infringing. The leaders in the European People’s However, this may not spell demonstrations in Europe most high-profile protest came Party – a right-leaning the end of the end for legal threatening to have the same from the English-language affiliation of political parties in measures against online piracy. impact on the Anti- version of Wikipedia which, Europe – urging them not to While the Stop Online Piracy counterfeiting Trade Agreement alongside a number of other ratify ACTA. A number of other Act and the Protect IP Act have (ACTA) across the Atlantic. As sites, shut down operations for countries quickly followed ground to a halt in the United WTR went to press, ACTA had a 24-hour period. With the Poland’s example, with some States, another bill remains on been referred to the Court of protest grabbing headlines, admitting that they had not the table. The Online Protection Justice of the both bills subsequently stalled, given the treaty due care and and Enforcement of Digital (ECJ) to clarify whether it is as legislators withdrew support. consideration. Trade Act would allow the compatible with the European The repercussions were Initially, most of the anti- International Trade Union’s fundamental rights swiftly felt in Europe with ACTA activity was to be found in Commission to take action and freedoms. respect to ACTA. Although the eastern countries of Europe. against websites found to be The Protect IP Act was signed by 22 EU member states This changed in February, when wilfully infringing. introduced to the US Senate in (pending the Netherlands and Germany Back in Europe, prior to the May last year and proposed an approval), a wave of public said that they would not be online action against proposed expanded remit for US law protests has led to question ratifying the agreement. The US legislation, Spain approved enforcement agencies in their marks over ratification. addition of EU heavyweight a new Sinde Law, which creates fight against online The first significant displays Germany to those reconsidering an IP commission empowered infringement and counterfeit of dissent took place in Poland their support may prove to be a with speedy takedown powers goods. An alternative bill, the and quickly spread across significant turning point. On for sites deemed to be trading Stop Online Piracy Act, was Europe. The Polish prime February 22 the bill was referred in pirated material. According subsequently introduced into minister was the first to the ECJ, with European to leaked documents, this the House of Representatives. government figure to react: Commissioner Karel de Gucht was passed under strong The bills caused apologising for an inadequate asking the court to clarify pressure from the US considerable disquiet among consultation process, he whether ACTA is compatible ambassador to Spain. Obama steps up anti-counterfeiting efforts

outline plans for a trade Enforcement Unit that will unveiled a partnership with enforcement unit. be charged with investigating Europol. Europol Director Rob Rallying around the theme unfair trade practices in Wainwright explained: of keeping jobs in America countries like . There “Intellectual property theft is a while opening new markets for will [also] be more inspections rapidly growing and evolving US products, Obama turned on to prevent counterfeit or area of criminal activity, with a countries that “don’t play by the unsafe goods from crossing massive economic cost to rules” – referring to both our borders”. business and society, which we subsidised industries and the In the fiscal year 2013 must work hard to minimise. By Source: Official White House photo production of counterfeits budget, he subsequently sharing intelligence and best – adding: “It’s not right when proposed $26 million of practices, the cooperation President Obama has placed the another country lets our funding for the new between our two agencies will fight against counterfeit goods movies, music and software enforcement centre. inevitably lead to future firmly on the administration’s be pirated.” The announcement came 24 operational successes.” political agenda, using his He went on to outline plans hours after the United States’ IP State of the Union address to for “the creation of a Trade Rights Coordination Centre

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