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Monday, May. 21, 2012 |  Syndicate content

EU court to rule on Acta legality

Page last updated at 05:25 GMT, Wednesday, February 22, 2012 - 10:25 EST

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BBC:

Protesters assembled across Europe in opposition to the agreement
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The European Union's highest court has been asked to rule on the legality of a controversial anti-piracy agreement.

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Acta) has been criticised by rights campaigners who argue it could stifle free expression on the internet.

EU trade head Karel De Gucht said the court will be asked to clarify whether the treaty complied with "the EU's fundamental rights and freedoms".

The agreement has so far been signed by 22 EU member states.

The European Commission said it "decided today to ask the European Court of Justice for a legal opinion to clarify that the Acta agreement and its implementation must be fully compatible with freedom of expression and freedom of the internet".

Several key countries, including Germany and Denmark, have backed away from the treaty amid protests in several European cities.

Acta is set to be debated by the European Parliament in June.

Read the whole story: BBC

Comments

The never ending battle

February 22, 2012 by Jim Adams (United States ), 12 weeks 4 days ago

Big business and greed against freedom of expression - the never ending battle. I'll fight my share of battles here - you Europeans do the same on your side of the pond. Good luck!

Greece-World News