1 June 2011: The controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) has been overwhelmingly rejected by members of the European Parliament ahead of a wider vote, ZDNet reports. Three committees were set to each vote on the proposals that would harmonise anti-counterfeit and anti-piracy measures around the EU and other signing countries, including the United States.
This follows the treaty’s rapporteur David Martin MEP, who warned fellow parliamentarians not to pass the ACTA in Europe’s 27 member states. The Committee on Civil Liberties (LIBE) all voted, bar one, against the agreement. The Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) voted by a narrow majority to reject the agreement. The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) also voted against the agreement by a majority.
It sends the strongest signal yet that European politicians are ready to veto the treaty.
Full story here.