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EC’s ACTA Negotiator Devigne: Rejected U.S. “Blackmail”

Luc Devigne, the European Commission's lead ACTA negotiator, recently appeared before the International Trade Committee which brought together Members of the European Parliament and ACTA negotiators.  Sources say Devigne revealed several key things:

  • the release of the draft ACTA text may be a one-time deal. There are no current plans to release the updated text following future rounds of talks.
  • Devigne reportedly told the MEPs that the EC successfully rejected U.S. "blackmail", a reference to U.S. demands for changes on the scope of ACTA in return for greater transparency. The U.S. ultimately agreed to the release of the text, while the scope issue remains unresolved.
  • There is still no agreement on the ISP safe harbour provisions.
  • Major disagreements in the criminal chapter include the definition of "commercial scale" (the U.S. wants it defined, the EU wants it left to national judges) and the inclusion of an anti-camcording provision. 
  • Disagreements on the civil enforcement chapter includes damages and scope.

3 Comments

  1. For those understanding swedish (or prepared to use google translate), there is a comprehensive summary of Devignes statements at: http://acta.mpbloggar.se/2010/05/10/kommissionen-haller-fast-vid-sin-linje-trots-att-acta-kritikerna-bevisligen-kan-lasa/

  2. Leaving the definition of commercial scale out would make a huge difference in the meaning of that document.

  3. Hephaestus says:

    Why ACTA is a good thing
    ACTA is a good thing for several reasons. It will raise public awareness of the issue of copyright. Other than forever minus a day it is as far as copyright and enforcement can go. We are at a point where people are communicating more and faster thanever before. The software tools are being developed to do Hollywood type 200 million dollar movies for 5-10 thousand USD. Virtual studio-set software is already out there and getting better. Secure Collaboration tools are being developed that can be used for news, song writing, music, and Video. Games are being developed to collaborate on Music and Video production.

    All in all between the collaboration, technology, the rebelious nature of people, and bad press the industries and companies involved in ACTA get. It means an acceleration of the demise of the people attempting to maintain a monopoly on media distribution.