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17. 05. 12. - 15:00

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17. 05. 12. - 15:00

Romania wont ratify ACTA

Michael Leidig

Romania will not ratify the highly controversial (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement)ACTA until the agreement won't be altered as to comply with demands recently formulated by the European Court of Justice, the minister of Communication Dan Nica told a press conference today (Thurs).

A day earlier, Prime Minister Ponta said the Cabinet is not going to endorse the agreement as his government has to make sure that the provisions of such an agreement will not harm the individual freedoms and the privacy of each citizen.

Romania signed ACTA last October together with 21 other nations in Japan. Since then, following massive protests, several EU countries announced they ditched the agreement because it does not protect the freedoms and the free circulation of ideas.

ACTA was initiated by Japan and the United States with the aim to fight counterfeited goods and computer piracy as well as the film and movie industry piracy.

Its provisions however galvanised the online community who accused the promoters of the agreement of trying to control the internet and infringe the privacy of internet users by forcing internet providers to spy and report on the activities of the users.

Romanians staged massive protests trying to force the previous right-wing cabinet to ditch the agreement.

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