ACTA Ratification Suspended In Europe, Awaits High Court Opinion

The European Union’s progress of adopting the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) negotiated last year has been suspended pending a ruling by Europe’s highest court, the European Trade Commissioner announced yesterday.

European Trade Commissioner Karl De Gucht yesterday announced that the European Court of Justice will be asked “to assess whether ACTA is incompatible – in any way – with the EU’s fundamental rights and freedoms, such as freedom of expression and information or data protection and the right to property in case of intellectual property.”

Twenty-two of the 27 EU countries already signed the agreement, along with the United States and others. But in recent weeks, strong protests have erupted across Europe as fears of excessive internet control have spread, casting doubt on the possibility of final passage in European Parliament.

Associated Press story here.