Papers and Articles on Internet Policy

ACTA, SOPA & the EU - essential background

The Copyright Enforcement Enigma jacket

SOPA and PIPA have put Internet copyright into the mainstream news agenda. The Copyright Enforcement Enigma introduces you to this topic. It explains the history of copyright sanctions. It puts 3-strikes and blocking policies into context. And it unravels the strange story of how it all got mixed up in the Telecoms Package and Amendment 138. When you finish it, you will understand why the ISPs and fundamental rights are under attack! Click here to get it!

ACTA

This section addresses the Anti-counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) from a European Union perspective and the policy implications for the EU that may be entailed in the ACTA.

The ACTA has been the subject of secret negotiations since 2008 and incorporates a chapter on enforcement of intellectual property rights on the Internet, including copyright and trade marks.

IFPI accuses: "protests silence democratic process"

Monica Horten

Published on 14 February 2012

A lobbying letter, attributed to the IFPI, the international arm of of the recorded music industry, and circulated by a coalition of rights-holders, attempts to wear the mantle of the moral high-ground in Europe’s political battle over ACTA. This wolf in sheep’s clothing also appears to have access to documents which have been denied to civil society.

ACTA – let the battle begin

Monica Horten

Published on 13 February 2012

The opening shots are being fired in the European Parliament in what could be a bloody but exciting political battle over copyright enforcement on the Internet and ACTA. The first casualty has already been claimed, as the rapporteur, Kader Arif, threw in the towel under pressure from what he termed the ‘right of the Parliament’. His replacement wants to put the matter to ECJ. Their party group, the Socialists, has issued out a statement opposing ACTA. The political re-positioning, combined with the citizens actions this week-end, has put the wind up the rights-holders, who are mounting a charm- offensive.

Read more: ACTA – let the battle begin

Valentine's week-end ACTA marches: thousands protest

Monica Horten

Published on 11 February 2012

ACTA protest Lille, France. Photo from @MaherTekaya via Twitter

ACTA protest Lille, France. Photo from @MaherTekaya via Twitter.

On a bitterly cold and snowy day, reported to be one of the coldest ever in Europe, with temperatures below freezing point, people have taken to the streets to protest against ACTA (Anti-counterfeiting Trade Agreement). This is the secretly negotiated copyright treaty, which will impose a new framework of sanctions and penalties against websites and Internet users for the purpose of copyright and IP enforcement. The message coming across loud and clear to European Union policy-makers is "No to ACTA" . It is being shouted in many languages, as the demonstrations range from Sofia to Talinn to Berlin to Amsterdam to Paris and London. The irony is that on Valentine's week-end, the protests are - apparently - organised by a group called 'Anonymous'.