ACTA – Tower of Air

Victory, sweet victory: ACTA is dead

Demonstration, with two people in the foreground: One holding a sign "Safe the Freedom, Stop ACTA", the other with a Minecraft head hat

Today, the European Parliament rejected ACTA with 478 votes to 39, and 165 abstentions. With the largest economy worldwide out, ACTA is effectively dead worldwide. This is an epic victory for all of us to fought against ACTA, tweeted, mailed and called MEPs, took to the streets, and so much more. Thanks to all ofContinue reading “Victory, sweet victory: ACTA is dead”

Dear European Parliament: Please reject ACTA!

The final vote on ACTA in the European Parliament is scheduled for July 4th. This vote is crucial: If the EP rejects ACTA, it is defeated in the EU and most likely worldwide as well. A few minutes ago, I sent a mail to all Members of the European Parliament asking them to reject ACTA.Continue reading “Dear European Parliament: Please reject ACTA!”

Anti-ACTA Demonstration Photos

Protesters walking along a road with Anti-ACTA signs. Police in the background.

Last Saturday we had another Anti-ACTA demonstration here in Dortmund, and I thought I’d post some photos. It was a lot smaller that the previous two, but I still met people who had come from Düsseldorf to attend. Though it currently seems likely that the European Parliament will reject ACTA, it’s not certain until theContinue reading “Anti-ACTA Demonstration Photos”

EU Commission thinks we’re stupid

Apparently, the EU Commission thinks all of us who demonstrated against ACTA are stupid. This article (German, Heise Online is a renowned German IT news site) cites protocols from the EU expert group for the TRIPS Council, and I’m going to comment a few excerpts (translation by me). “Discussion protocols of the EU expert groupContinue reading “EU Commission thinks we’re stupid”

Stop ACTA! – Demonstration in Dortmund

Many people gathered in a square, some signs and party flags visible

Today, about 2500 people gathered in my hometown of Dortmund, tens of thousands in Germany and many more all across Europe to demonstrate against ACTA, the “Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement”. This treaty that was negotiated in secret and massively threatens civil rights, the existence of the Internet as we know it and even human lives. TheContinue reading “Stop ACTA! – Demonstration in Dortmund”