Germany Puts a Hold On Signing ACTA Agreement

ACTA Anti-Piracy Agreement

[engine]

Germany Puts a Hold On Signing ACTA Agreement [bbc.co.uk]

Germany has halted signing a controversial anti-piracy accord, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Acta), after the justice ministry voiced concerns.

A foreign ministry spokesperson told AFP that the delay was to "give us time to carry out further discussions".

Latvia also put off signing on Friday. Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have already delayed ratification.

International protests against the agreement are expected on Saturday

Earlier story
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) Signed By Additional 22 Countries [webmasterworld.com]

[mauriciotan]

In Italy and France, buying counterfeit merchandise is a punishable crime. Lately, Anti-counterfeiting activists also as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, are getting tough on those who traffic in phony merchandise that pretends to be from a trusted brand-name. But now a few want to turn that scrutiny on the customers of these items. People who intentionally buy such goods could end up in jail if lawmakers are successful. Article resource: Consumers next target of anti-counterfeit crusaders? [personalmoneynetwork.com].