Baldwins
Added: Feb 22, 2012
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) has courted controversy ever since its inception in 2007, when several developing and non-developing nations began to discuss the formation of an international intellectual property rights-oriented treaty.
The negotiations have faced significant opposition from civil rights campaigners, Internet users, ISPs and individuals. Many are concerned at the lack of transparency attributed to what has become a highly secretive negotiation process. Others fear that the ACTA champions the global implementation of draconian Internet IP enforcement measures, aimed at combating online piracy and copyright infringement but curtailing rights to free speech and expression.
The backlash has increased significantly in recent months now that the text of the ACTA has been finalised and several parties to the Agreement, New Zealand included, have forged ahead and signed the instrument.