Erstellt am: 27. 2. 2010 - 11:59 Uhr
Today's Webtip: Europe takes a stand
Some of you might have been paying attention to developments around the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, otherwise known as ACTA. Negotiations have been going on behind closed doors since 2007, but the bits of information that have leaked out so far have been a cause for concern among online, copyleft and human-rights activists.
The most recent documents to have been leaked included strong wording in support of the Three Strikes Rule. That rule would require individuals who have been accused three times of copyright infringement to be denied internet access. An act that critics say would end up punishing other, potentially innocent (remember that quaint idea of being innocent until proven guilty?) members of the same household who would also be cut off from online access.
ZDNet UK is reporting that the office of European Trade Commisioner Karel De Gucht has now taken a stand on the leaked provisions. And it looks like he isn't much of a baseball fan...
Of course, the leaked documents also refrain from claiming a three strikes provision should be mandatory, so this could still end up just being some pretty political posturing. On the other hand, it keeps the issue in the news and might help bring a bit more transparency to the negotiations.
What do you think?