(Networkworld.com)
The proposed multilateral Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) has hit a stumbling block over the liability of ISPs in allowing customers access to peer-to-peer file-sharing sites and the inclusion of geographic indicators.
European Commissioner for Trade, Karel De Gucht, gave a statement to the European Parliament on Tuesday and attempted to downplay fears that the agreement could infringe individual civil liberties and result in increased border searches for counterfeit and pirated goods. Personal laptops and MP3 players will not be searched, the commissioner said, adding that only piracy and counterfeiting on a commercial scale are of interest.
However, he said that he would walk away from any deal if it did not include so-called geographic indicators, which aim to protect E.U. products such as champagne or Parma ham. De Gucht described the latest round of negotiations in Washington, D.C., last month as “disappointing”. Read more here.
