The protests against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement continue
to spread in cities across Europe. The protests began in Poland, where thousands
have taken to the streets and opposition politicians have worn Guy
Fawkes masks in protest against the country signing the agreement last
week. The scenes
from Poland are remarkable, demonstrating the widespread anger over
the decision to join ACTA.
This weekend the protests have spread beyond Poland, with hundreds
protesting in the Czech
Republic, Belgium,
and in cities across France including Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux
(further Paris video
here). There have also been reports of smaller protests in London
and Dublin.
The ACTA protests appear to be spreading as there are plans for
protests next week in the Czech Republic,
the
Netherlands, Ireland, and Sweden. A full rundown of protest plans
can be found
here. The European Parliament is scheduled to vote on the
agreement later this year.
Billboard reports
that French rights holders are sending 25,000 copyright infringement
notices daily to HADOPI, the agency responsible for that country's
three-strikes-and-you're-out system.
Confirming earlier comments from the European Commission, French
government officials have told
NGO groups that they are willing to walk away from ACTA if the
agreement does not include coverage of geographical indications.
Canadian recording industry groups may be pining
for a three strikes model in Canada, but the NY Times reports
that the French law has yet to result in any penalties and some
politicians are expressing misgivings about the law altogether.
Yahoo's The Right Click reports
on the mounting protests from Canadians against the prospect of adding
SOPA-style amendments to Bill C-11.
Feb.09/12Comments (0)
Government House Leader Peter Van Loan announced yesterday that the government is imposing time allocation on the second reading debate on Bill C-11. That means debate on the bill should conclude on Friday and the bill will be sent to committee for further hearings and review. While the government's overuse of time allocation is a concern, sending C-11 to committee places the core issues on the table - will it amend the digital lock rules as so many are asking and/or will it cave to copyright lobby pressure and add SOPA-style amendments to the bill? Now is the time to speak out.Feb.08/12Comments (6)
Alexander Furnas explains
in the Atlantic why the broader implications of ACTA may make it as bad
as SOPA. Furnas notes "while many of the alarmists specific claims are
inaccurate, ACTA exposes the systemic danger in how international
intellectual property regulation has evolved over the last 20 years." Feb.07/12Comments (0)
Kris Kotarski writes an opinion
piece in the Calgary Herald that calls attention to the lobby panic
that leads to legislation like SOPA and ACTA.
Feb.07/12Comments (0)
The National Post featured an op-ed
from Jesse Kline
over the weekend that notes "the essential question that must be
addressed going forward is whether government regulation is needed to
protect industries that have failed to innovate." He says the answer is
no.
Feb.07/12Comments (3)
John Ibbitson discusses
the implications
for Canada of joining the Trans Pacific Partnership, noting it would
likely include surrendering Canadian sovereignty over copyright law. A
reminder that the government is currently consulting on the TPP.
Details on the agreement and participating here, here, and
here.
Feb.06/12Comments (0)
Open Media has launched a new
campaign
against copyright reforms that threaten digital rights including the
prospect of website blocking, Internet termination, and digital locks.
Feb.06/12Comments (0)
AccessNow is maintaining an excellent
map
of the protests planned across the continent on February 11th, which
has been designated an international day of action against ACTA. The
issue has attracted mainstream media attention (eg. New
York Times) and questions
emerge about the likelihood the treaty will receive the necessary
approvals for ratification.
Feb.06/12Comments (0)
