Remember remember, the 4th of July Internet Freedom in the European Union and the vote on ACTA Master thesis for the Faculty of Humanities, Utrecht University Master program New Media & Digital Culture 2011-2012 Author Lindsy Szilvasi
[email protected] August 31, 2012 2 To my grandfather. My hero, my inspiration. Mies ✝2012 3 4 Foreword “Remember, remember, the Fi-h of November, the Gunpowder Treason and Plot. I know of no reason why the Gunpowder Treason should ever be forgot... But what of the man? I know his name was Guy Fawkes and I know, in 1605, he aHempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament. But who was he really? What was he like? We are told to remember the idea, not the man, because a man can fail. He can be caught, he can be killed and forgoHen, but 400 years later, an idea can sMll change the world.” “...fairness, jusMce, and freedom are more than words, they are perspecves.” (From the movie V for Vende0a 2005) I would like to express my gratude to a few persons who have given me the support and inspiraon for wri4ng this thesis and have made a valuable contribu4on. First of all, dr. Imar de Vries and Mirko-Tobias Schäfer for the instruc4ons, feedback and evaluaon of this thesis. Secondly, all the Bits of Freedom members for giving me the opportunity of being part of a team that fights for our online liber4es and rights, and for giving me the unique chance of mee4ng other inspiring Internet freedom fighters, including a look inside the European Parliament.