[p2p-research] Fwd: [opennetcoalition] European Parliament Vs. ACTA: Rejection is the only option

[Michel Bauwens]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: La Quadrature du Net <jz at laquadrature.net>
Date: Wed, Sep 8, 2010 at 3:42 PM
Subject: [opennetcoalition] European Parliament Vs. ACTA: Rejection is the
only option
To: opennetcoalition at laquadrature.net


La Quadrature du Net - For immediate release

Permanent link:
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/european-parliament-vs-acta-rejection-is-the-only-option


European Parliament Vs. ACTA: Rejection is the only option



*** Paris, September 8th, 2010 - The adoption by the European Parliament
of Written Declaration 12 opposing the ACTA agreement sends a strong
political signal. European Commission shows its will to quickly
conclude the negotiations of this agreement that includes harmful
provisions for fundamental rights. ACTA aims at circumventing
democracy to impose now and later repressive legislation through
secret negotiations. The European Parliament now has a unique occasion
to firmly oppose it.***


Citizens from all around Europe[1] helped to raise awareness about ACTA
among Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) by collecting, one by
one, more than 369 signatures[2]. With Written Declaration 12/2010[3],
the European Parliament as a whole takes a firm position to oppose the
un-democratic process of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agremeent
(ACTA), and its content harmful to fundamental freedoms and the
Internet ecosystem.

As the latest text of the agreement was leaked by Knowledge Ecology
International[4], it is clear that even if some explicit wording about
Internet provider's liabilty was modified, the threat is still maximal
that ACTA installs private copyright police of the Net taking orders
from the entertainment industry, while creating major legal
uncertainty over all Internet operators and users. The European
Commission is willfully participating and about to accept this, as it
also preparing more repression of Internet users, according to the
lobbies wishes, with the upcoming enforcement directive[5].

"Written Declaration 12 is a strong political signal sent by the EP to
the Commission that ACTA is not tolerable as a way of bypassing
democratic processes. Legislation related to Internet, freedom of
speech and privacy cannot be negotiated in secrecy under the direct
influence of entertainment industry lobbies." declares Jérémie
Zimmermann, spokesperson of citizen advocacy group La Quadrature du Net.

"The attacks on freedoms may become less visible in the final
agreement, but they will be no less present. ACTA was put in place to
circumvent democracy, and its governance provisions will make possible
to extend the scope of this circumvention after an agreement is
reached." declares Philippe Aigrain, co-founder of La Quadrature.

"Adoption of Written Declaration 12 gives hope in the 'consent' vote[6]
that the European Parliament will need to take in order to accept or
reject ACTA when it is finalized. Then again - as well as in upcoming
legislative and non-legislative attacks such as the Gallo report-,
citizens will need to act courageously to make sure that their
Internet and their fundamental freedoms are properly defended. Full
rejection of ACTA is the only option." concludes Zimmermann.


* Références *


1. Participation was observed of individuals from Belgium, Bulgaria,
Czech Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, and probably much
more... Warm congratulations to all of them!

2. Complete list of signatories and statistics on
http://www.laquadrature.net/wiki/Written_Declaration_12/2010_signatories...

3. See campaign page for full description and full text of WD12:
http://www.laquadrature.net/wiki/Help_sign_the_Written_Declaration_12/20...

4. http://keionline.org/acta_washdc

5. Page7 of Commission draft communication about single market: "The
Commission will propose an Action Plan against counterfeiting and
piracy in 2010, consisting of both legislative and non-legislative
actions. (Michel Barnier)"
http://www.euractiv.fr/sites/default/files/projet_sma_communication.pdf

6. Art. 218.6 of Lisbon Treaty



** About la Quadrature du Net **


La Quadrature du Net is an advocacy group that promotes the rights and
freedoms of citizens on the Internet. More specifically, it advocates for
the adaptation of French and European legislations to respect the founding
principles of the Internet, most notably the free circulation of knowledge.

In addition to its advocacy work, the group also aims to foster a better
understanding of legislative processes among citizens. Through specific and
pertinent information and tools, La Quadrature du Net hopes to encourage
citizens' participation in the public debate on rights and freedoms in the
digital age.

La Quadrature du Net is supported by French, European and international NGOs
including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, the Open Society Institute and
Privacy International.

List of supporting organisations :
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/they-support-squaring-net-la-quadrature-du-net


** Press contact and press room **

Jérémie Zimmermann, jz at laquadrature.net, +33 (0)615 940 675

http://www.laquadrature.net/en/press-room



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