PHOTO: Screenshot from thepiratebay.se

The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is an act that is meant to stop piracy over the Internet and has nothing to do with physical merchandise. It is comparable to SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect IPs Act) that were recently shelved in the US. The bills tried to stop piracy but went slightly too far infringing peoples rights (such as right to a trial).

What is surprising about ACTA is it is a bill done largely in secret and disturbingly little information was released. Developing countries are also being excluded from negotiations of the bill. The bill was created to protect creators of music, movies, fashion, medicine, and other products that are victim to theft over the Internet (Estimated $250 billion a year). The public remained unaware of this bill for almost five years until the Anonymous group put it in the spotlight.

Jake Jennerjohn said,  “I feel that ACTA is deceiving because it was not publicized at all and the public was not given basic information over five years.”

This bill still needs to be ratified be the EU Parliament before it passes, which is scheduled for June this year, leaving Europe as the “Last Stronghold” to stop this bill.

Internet service providers would be forced to monitor all user activity to check for copyright infringement, which is loosely defined. Levi McGinnis feels it is an “Invasion of privacy for instance, if you download a ROM legally the government would consider it copyright infringement”. A ROM is a way to play a game that was not released on a computer on a computer and if the game was purchased, the rom is legal. It is also feared ACTA will censor the web, which pre-ACTA the U.S.A has already accomplished. With their controversial shut down of the file-sharing Megaupload website for copyright and pirating. Even though the website shut down such links of copyright.

ACTA also does not allow developing nations (which were not allowed in negotiations) to create their own policies.

“Biased because countries with the most pirated goods cannot speak for themselves.”, Matt Dunn said.

Such nations might not have the resources to maintain those regulations. India claims it would affect the trade of generic medicines, a country where most of the population cannot afford brand name medicines.

Protests are widespread across Europe, helped largely by Anonymous and other hacker organizations that fight for freedom of speech. These organizations are hackers so they are not “good” but they are hacking for a good cause.

Due to widespread protest Poland has decided to delay their approval or veto of the bill. Slovenian ambassador apologized for signing ACTA after more widespread protests.

Many social media websites have large movements to stop ACTA. With about half of the people have Anonymous or Anon in their name. The other half made up of honest citizens fighting to retain freedom of speech.

Even though this bill favors to large corporations and tries to stop piracy, some large companies are against it.  Such as Google and FireFox, two large powerhouses built ground up over the Internet. Supporters of the bill include large companies such as Activision, the music industry, Hollywood, and politicians. The bill has received no support from citizens who sadly, have no say.

One of the worst things about ACTA is due to it being global, it does not need to follow the Constitution. Therefore, there is no right to trial and no freedom of speech. The government can deem something as copyright, give no reason, and send the person to a federal jail. Dunn, a true American believes  “ Anything that contradicts the constitution shouldn’t be instated and should follow the rules. Anything that does not follow the constitution is unacceptable.”

This bill may be in Europe right now but that does not mean you cannot help. People’s average responses for this bill were negative like with SOPA and PIPA.

“If it captured terrorists and stopped copyright infringement but I am against the bill because it goes too far.” Jennerjohn said

“I understand the reason but the bill went too far in its efforts.” Dunn said

“The bill is plain stupid, invades privacy, and is giving the government power over your computer in addition to the Internet.” McGinnis Said

Notify people though social media such as Twitter and Facebook. We have to show our governments they cannot act without we, the people.

Byline: By CHRISTOPHER SACKETT