So, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (or ACTA for short) has been a very controversial piece of legislation. While intended to protect intellectual property rights, its opponents have argued that it was a threat to a free and open internet. ACTA's future has been in doubt for some time now, but today, it became official.
Falkvinge
The final vote tally.
Here is a little picture of the European Parliament right after the vote.
It's very possible that the provisions ACTA contained could reappear in the form of new bills or proposals. Intellectual property rights are a very big issue right now, and the debate over what to do about them isn't going to go away anytime soon.
Still, if you were one of the many who opposed ACTA, today is your day to celebrate. After a long battle, the internet has won its independence on this fourth of July. How appropriate.
Today at 12:56, the European Parliament decided whether ACTA would be ultimately rejected or whether it would drag on into uncertainty. In a crushing 478-to-39 vote, the Parliament decided to reject ACTA once and for all. This means that the deceptive treaty is now dead globally.
The final vote tally.
Here is a little picture of the European Parliament right after the vote.
It's very possible that the provisions ACTA contained could reappear in the form of new bills or proposals. Intellectual property rights are a very big issue right now, and the debate over what to do about them isn't going to go away anytime soon.
Still, if you were one of the many who opposed ACTA, today is your day to celebrate. After a long battle, the internet has won its independence on this fourth of July. How appropriate.