Tough EU piracy laws branded 'Europe's SOPA'

But little evidence suggests ACTA would enforce censorship

New measures to prevent internet piracy across Europe has sparked both criticism and debate online. 


The ‘Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement’ – a legal understanding between ‘participating’ nations around the world –protects companies from trademark and copyright infringement, which is rampant across the internet.

Countries in the EU ready to sign the agreement, particularly Poland, have been targeted by internet attacks on government websites by groups such as Anonymous who believe ACTA could lead to a form of online censorship.
Some Polish websites have also pledged to stage blackouts in protest to the government’s pledge to sign.
Michael Boni, Poland’s minister for administration and digitisation, hit back to criticism stating that ACTA “in no way changes Polish laws or the rights of internet users and internet usage”.

http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...d-Europes-SOPA