As we now know, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement — allegedly conceived to reduce the flow of fake physical goods across borders — could cut people off of the Internet, turn Internet intermediaries into copyright cops, and create a global framework that puts severe restrictions on innovation.
With the next round of high level negotiations taking place in less than a week, now is a great time to remind negotiators that ACTA must safeguard the fundamental rights of all citizens and not impede Internet innovation.
To that end, a coalition of scholars and public interest organizations have drafted a communiqué. We encourage everyone who cares about digital civil liberties and the future of the free and open Internet to join EFF in signing it. The communiqué argues against the dangerous policies in ACTA — including policies that could require Internet service providers to disconnect individuals accused of repeated copyright infringement, prohibit reform of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), and make unbalanced amplifications to intellectual property enforcement worldwide.
The final version of the communiqué will be released to the public tomorrow morning (June 23). Endorsements will be accepted Sign the communiqué now!
UPDATE: Public Knowledge has issued an action alert, inviting users to send a wake-up call to the Administration about the dangerous policies in ACTA. Visit Public Knowledge and make your voice heard!