Labour MEP leads on rejection of ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) - 2012-07-04

"ACTA is now dead in the EU thanks to the European Parliament," said Labour's David Martin, lead legislator on ACTA, as  the European Parliament went to vote.

The plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg is widely expected to reject ACTA today, which means that it will not now become law in the EU.  

"This is the first time that the European Parliament has used its right under the Lisbon Treaty to reject an international agreement.," said Euro-MP David Martin, 'rapporteur' for the European Parliament on this issue which has attracted a petition of  over  two and a half million citizens opposing the agreement.  

"I will always support civil liberties over intellectual property right protection in the EU," he continued.  

"The treaty is too vague and is open to misinterpretation.    

"The ACTA agreement is too vague and is open to misinterpretation.

"I'm very pleased that the majority of MEPs have told me they will follow my recommendation and rejected ACTA.

"This international agreement rightly defended intellectual property rights, which are the EU's raw material and are fundamental to the European economy, but it does not go far enough to defend individual freedoms in the internet age , " he said.

Six committees of the European Parliament separately considered this issue prior to today's vote.  

Ends

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