Anti ACTA Movement Gaining Momentum

ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) as you may or may not know is a proposed agreement for policing ISPs across the world in order to curb internet piracy. This will establish a new governing body separate from the WTO and other similar organizations that forces ISPs to monitor and report on the activity of any user. This is wrong for many reasons..

1. It makes it more difficult to distribute free software: Without file sharing and P2P technologies like BitTorrent, distributing large amounts of free software becomes much harder, and more expensive. BitTorrent is a grassroots protocol that allows everyone to contribute to legally distributing free software.

2. It will make it harder for users of free operating systems, such as Linux-based to play media: Consumers are no longer allowed to buy media without DRM -- and DRM'ed media cannot be played with free software.

3. It allows your devices to be taken away without any explanation whatsoever as part of random security checks. Devices suspected of including Pirated Material and/or Copyright Infringements will also be confiscated and searched. Not only is this an invasion of Privacy, this could mean restricted to people carrying Digital equipment. This means that bringing an iPod or a Laptop through Airport Security could cost hours off your time. This is not only restricted to Digital Device Carriers. This extends the time required for the average check-in up to 70%, assuming 1 in 10 people receive a searched media Device.

4. ACTA requires that existing ISP no longer host free software that has the possibility of including copyrighted media; this would substantially affect many sites that offer free software or host software projects such as SourceForge and Download.com. Most software we use on our computers are free. Are we to pay the price because of a misleading treaty?

5. Part of the ACTA treaty states that import generic medicine are to be restricted and controlled. This could have disastrous effects that cost lives, especially in developing countries. The majority of Medicinal Companies do not supply medicine to 3rd world countries. This is because more profit can be made by selling it to the richer countries where WE live. Most medicine received in 3rd world countries are imported by concerned people and charity groups. If ACTA is to be approved, these medicine would be confiscated for "security" reasons (In order to maintain a monopoly). Should these people die because of our current inaction and unwillingness to act against ACTA?

6. If ACTA is implemented, privacy on the internet is no longer a given. Internet Service Providers will be forced to monitor what websites you visit and what you type, search and do. People have a basic right to privacy that this treaty clearly ignores. Are you willing to pay this price?

7. ACTA gives governments and ISP’s the right to block websites deemed “Unsuitable” There are no clear guidelines as to what is deemed suitable or unsuitable. Do you honestly believe that this power will not be abused for Political and Economical Gain ? China has used the same excuse to censor the internet. Concurrently, China has far banned facebook.com, youtube.com and blogspot.com. Does this seem like national security?

8. This treaty WILL NOT prevent Piracy. This is an ineffective and ridiculous agreement that will only harm the common people, not Pirated goods. Again, China is an example. Most websites and Peer to Peer networks are blocked. Yet China has one of the most rampant Piracy industries in the world. Why? Because Piracy will always find another medium. Only we will suffer.

Protests are already being discussed for the dates of October 29th and November 5th, but we need more participants to make these days memorable. If you are interested in participating or need more information on ACTA then you can visit the sites below for more details.

http://www.anti-acta.com

http://ifmovement.org/forum/