[A2k] The fight against ACTA

[A.C.Story]

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For some months, members of this list have been making proposals about what=
 is the best way to campaign against the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreemen=
t (ACTA). Almost universally, these comments have focused on THE PROCESS us=
ed to negotiate this treaty and how it lacks transparency.

All very fine, but this avoids a challenge to the main issue that needs to =
be confronted: THE CONTENT of  agreements such as ACTA and the wider global=
 offensive being led by content owners against copyright 'piracy' --- or co=
pying they don't like.

Two weeks ago, Copy South put out the message about Professor Potel in Arge=
ntina
https://www.kent.ac.uk/law/copysouth/en/horacio_potel_en.htm

Today, we have learned of a court decision in Sweden to send four members o=
f Pirate Bay to prison for a year for copyright infringement.

Details are at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8003799.stm
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/04/17/pirate_bay_loses_trial/

I hope the denunciations of today's decision ring in from across the globe,=
 including on this list.

Or will we cower and refuse to be counted...and instead try to figure out h=
ow to get more plush chairs for 'activists' at WIPO meetings in Geneva.

Alan Story


Alan Story
Senior Lecturer, Intellectual Property Law
Kent Law School
University of Kent
Canterbury Kent
United Kingdom