Demonstrators said the act violates the rights of Internet users and restricts freedom of speech. They argued ACTA is “a threat to privacy” and that it opens door for abuse.
Protesters carried banners that read “Your treaties feed our hate. Down with censorship!”, “Stop ACTA!”, “Internet is free”, “Sharing is not stealing!”
End-January, representatives of the European Union and 22 of its member states signed ACTA in Tokyo. The agreement will not enter force without the European Parliament’s approval.
The purpose of the agreement (between the EU, the USA, Australia, Canada, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and Switzerland) is, according to the European Parliament, to strengthen intellectual property rights and fight counterfeiting and piracy of goods such as designer clothing, music and films.
The Romanian Government informed at that time, the Economy Ministry will hold public debates on ACTA, which will enter force only after several stages, including being ratified by the Parliament, and which does not change intellectual property legislation.