Under this new treaty, Internet Service Providers will police all data passing through them, making them legally responsible for what their users do online. And should you do something considered “breach of copyright” like, for instance, getting a tattoo of a brand logo, taking a photo and posting it somewhere, you may be disconnected from the Internet, fined or even jailed.

This, of course, threatens the entire founding idea of the Internet – the free sharing of information. But ACTA doesn’t stop there. It goes beyond the Internet, bearing down on generic drugs and food patents. If passed, ACTA will enforce a global standard for seed patenting, which would wipe out independent, local farmers and make the world completely dependent on the patent owners (read “big corporations”) for supplies.


ACTA: The International Treaty You’ve Never Heard of That Could Affect Internet Freedom

euralmanac:

Lublin, Poland
Protesters with their mouths taped shut during a demonstration against the government’s plan to ratify the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). ACTA commits its signatories to counteract global trade of counterfeit goods and pirated copyright. Opponents have argued that the treaty will restrict fundamental civil and digital rights. (via ZUMA)

euralmanac:

Lublin, Poland

Protesters with their mouths taped shut during a demonstration against the government’s plan to ratify the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). ACTA commits its signatories to counteract global trade of counterfeit goods and pirated copyright. Opponents have argued that the treaty will restrict fundamental civil and digital rights. (via ZUMA)

(Source: abaldwin360)