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Protestors brave the cold to protest against new anti-piracy legislation

Demonstrators across Europe took the streets this week to protest against the implementation of new EU-wide anti-piracy legislation. In London activists claim hundreds gathered outside the British Music House which is near Oxford Street to make their point.

The protests are in response to the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Acta) which is an international agreement aimed at protecting intellectual property. The agreement has been negotiated between the EU, Australia, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, South Korea, Switzerland, Singapore and the United States. 

In order for the EU to sign up to the agreement all 27 member states must ratify the deal. At present Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have stopped the ratification process and Germany has stated that it need more time to consider the proposals.

There has been considerable criticism of the proposals with the opponents concerned that the legislation could restrict internet freedom and lead to the closure of websites.

Jon Worth a Website designer told Sky News Online that: “It was negotiated in secret without adequate parliamentary scrutiny.

“It is very important that the matter of digital rights is taken more seriously. In a number of European countries it is higher up the agenda than it is here.”

Britain’s Intellectual Property Office however defended the proposed agreement and said in a statement: “Acta is not about how people use the internet in their everyday lives. It is not the intention of Acta to restrict freedom of the internet and it will not censor websites.”

At Franklins Solicitors LLP, our Business Services and Litigation teams work closely together to advise both businesses and individuals on all aspects of the protection and enforcement that can be afforded to their branding, creations and ideas from both non-litigious and litigious perspectives. In addition, the Firm's Business Services team can offer sound commercial advice as to the various methods of exploiting IPR including agency, distribution, sponsorship, franchising and other licensing arrangements. As such, the Firm is well placed to provide strategic advice as to the availability of Intellectual Property protection and then how to identify and manage potential infringement.

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