Ireland is today due to sign up to the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) along with other EU members, at a ceremony to take place in Tokyo, Japan.
Once the agreement is signed and the European Parliament has given its assent, the agreement can be ratified by the member states, including Ireland.
While the agreement’s primary objective is to stop trade in counterfeit goods including internet bought medicines, it also includes provisions regarding copyright infringement.
This latter provision has caused controversy, with critics maintaining that the agreement will impact on the civil and digital rights of internet users.
