ACTA agreement referred to Foreign Affairs Committee
The government has referred the ACTA agreement to parliament's European and Foreign Affairs Committee to flag any issues it might have, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said this afternoon.
Speaking at a press conference, Mr Fenech reiterated comments made at a Finance Ministry statement yesterday (see link below) that the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement does not violate people's rights or change the way individuals use the internet. However, he stressed, it was in the interest of all countries to better protect intellectual rights.
He said the Malta-EU Steering and Action Committee (MEASAC) had been notified about the agreement before its signing, in July, and none of its members, including the Labour Party, objected.
Mr Fenech said the agreement was far from being a done deal in that it had still to be approved by the European Parliament and ratified by national parliaments, before being signed off by the EU Council of Ministers.
PL CONCERNS
Also this afternoon, Michael Farrugia, the PL spokesman on IT, said that ACTA went beyond the EU's various intellectual property directives and threatened fundamental liberties including the right to privacy and freedom of expression.
He said many aspects of the agreement were of concern. For example, he said, the agreement placed generic and counterfeit medicine in the same category.
He said internet service providers should not be responsible for the data they hosted or transferred. Most of the things mentioned in ACTA were already protected by existing legislation, leading one to wonder why the new agreement was needed.
Dr Farrugia said he was concerned by the government's response, which was a cut and paste copy of the EU's commission position. He said that MEUSAC had not been presented with the final version of the agreement.
The PLs position, he said, was the same as its MEPs, that the agreement needed to be clarified and amended.
MEPS DISAGREE
Earlier today, Nationalist MEPs Simon Busuttil and David Casa said today that the position of Labour MEPs on ACTA was clearly the result of a knee jerk reaction to public opinion whilst being ostensibly oblivious to the facts at hand.
In a statement, they said that in November 2010 two resolutions were put to a vote; the one supported by PL MEPs did not garner sufficient backing and was rejected, while a more balanced version outlining the same concerns was adopted by the EP during that plenary.
"However, it is clear that there are widespread misconceptions circulating the internet on this agreement. The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is directed at large-scale criminals and not private internet users. In addition, we definitely agree that international cooperation against counterfeiting and piracy should be stepped up because this will enhance European competitiveness and innovation and will protect jobs in Malta, in this growing sector." they said.
The Nationalist MEPs reiterated that the European Commission has given repeated, detailed and written assurances that individual internet users will not be restricted in any way.
Moreover, the Legal Services of the European Parliament have also concluded that ACTA do not breach fundamental freedoms.
"When the final vote on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement ACT is voted upon in the European Parliament this June, we will only support it if we are assured that it does not create undue restrictions for internet users." they said.
"Once again, true to style, Labour shoots from the hip. This is why they always get it wrong." they concluded.
In a reaction, the Labour Party said that Simon Busuttil 'and his sidekick' David Casa had confirmed they voted against an anti-ACTA resolution tabled by Socialists, Liberals and Greens.
'True to their conservative stand, they voted with the right wing bloc in favour of an ACTA-friendly version' the Pl said.
See also
Ministry's explanation on ACTA -
PL statement - http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120130/local/pl-says-its-meps-wanted-amendments-to-acta.404536
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Mario Borg
Feb 2nd 2012, 10:25
The truth about intellectual property
http://vimeo.com/8040182
Charles Grima
Feb 2nd 2012, 09:31
Anytime anyone does a slideshow with music that he has lying around (own CD?) and does not get permission, is likely to get prosecuted....
So let's get this straight... so I buy a cassette (bought one many years ago)... I have bought the rights to listen to those songs.... so when they came out on CD I had to buy them again. Isn't that a bit... insane? And now these same ZILLIONAIRES tell me that I cannot own the same mp3 of a song I already had brought the rights for?
Mario Pace
Feb 1st 2012, 08:38
Recently the TOM reported about a youtue video of hitler-Franco debono(http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120110/local/Franco-Debono-saga-fires-up-the-internet.401727)
ACTA means that anything like that would not be possible anymore and Maltese people who would watch that video would be liable to criminal charges. The New World Order is taking away our individual freedoms.
Michelle Pirotta
Feb 1st 2012, 10:37
that's not true mario, acta makes no difference to individual use
pat muscat
Feb 1st 2012, 12:17
You are wrong Michelle Pirotta; get informed and not from in-Nazzjon!
Alex Ellul
Feb 1st 2012, 08:27
ACTA is a weasely way of the powerful installing a controlling valve on the WWW. The proof of this is the way ACTA was being introduced. No public discussions, no parliamentary discussions at state level, no publications telling the small citizen what it's all about. Countries have signed on the dotted line without informing their citizens. The final step is June 2012.
The dictator countries do not need ACTA to control their citizens since they already control the internet in their countries, vide Iran, China. When we sign ACTA in June we become like Iran and China.
There have already been attempts to close down servers and bloggers and I am not referring to megaupload.com.
In the UK, which is supposed to be the bastion of freedom and democracy, an attempt was made to closed down a blogger who blogs on science and exposes the corruption in the way publicly-paid scientists, receiving millions in money grants, abuse their positions to produce fake siene.. Police raided his house, taking all his IT equipment, he managed to keep online through his smart-phone (smart-phone is mightier than the sword we were told just two days ago). A parallel raid was carried out in the US on a sister website discussing the same subject while Wordpress was also hassled by the department of justice, for good measure so as not to delete anything from its servers.
http://tallbloke.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/tallbloke-towers-raided-many-computers-taken/
http://joannenova.com.au/2011/12/tallblokes-computer-siezed-jeff-id-threatened-in-climategate-retaliation-its-intimidation/
This is all happening now without ACTA. Imagine having a law empowering the police to check all computers in all households. Isn’t it like China and Iran?
Joseph Brincat
Jan 31st 2012, 22:46
ACTA IS THE BIGGEST VIRUS !!!!!
VOTE >>>>>> NO
Mario Desira
Jan 31st 2012, 22:18
Hands off our internet! This is nothing but a ploy so that the richer become richer at the expense of the rest with the excuse of copyright. There are other means and they can be employed. I petitoned agaisnt SOPA in the USA and have done likewise with ACTA.
AVAZZ are collecting petitioners agaisnt this on this webpage:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_acta/?cl=1548594190&v=12326
A few days ago WIKIPEDIA amongst other sites was one of those who blanked out access to their sites as a protest.......I am more inclined them then the rhetoric mouthed by politicans behind this act.......very similar to imposing draconian security measures and denying people their rights in the name of terrorism!
Europe has already enacted terrible legislation agaisnt animal rights in test laboratories and denial of the right to choose the herbal and alternative medicine we want and are not impressed by the claims of rightousness for ACTA!
O. Grixti
Jan 31st 2012, 20:33
Hope the MEPs know what they are doing, because it seems that many people are against this treaty. And elections will come again as you MEPs are there to represent us. If these rules already exist, I don’t know why they are signing ACTA too? (And behind our back) maybe someone is not telling all the truth.
From the info I found by browsing on the net (till it is free as last week Wikipedia went one day blackout in protest of this) our privacy will finish as we will be monitored all the time. I don’t know who can be in favor of this, if not someone who wants our personal info i.e. politics and government.
Stop while you are in time.
Nazzareno Cortis
Jan 31st 2012, 19:06
@ James Dimech----For your information,the first computor centre in Malta was active in mid 70's,under the MLP,governed by Dom Mintoff. Incidentally,and if my memory serves me right,and also for your information,those who used to place bombs at several places in Malta,also managed to put a bomb near this computor centre(which was built at Dingli),the reason being for this centre not to start functioning!!!
Patrick Fenech
Jan 31st 2012, 18:07
Are you talking about ACTA or Darth Vader? I think half the people in this blog were tuned in to the wrong channel. I challenge all of you to READ the agreement and not the propoganda being churned by those who have to gain from internet pirace!!! PUT YOUR MINDS WHERE YOUR MOUTHS ARE!
Matthew Bugeja
Jan 31st 2012, 18:17
Patrick I can only wonder what you are gaining from this.. seeing as how only politicians and business people seem to be in favour of this. Could you kindly inform us where your stand on this? or is it just cause you're the wise man amongst us all?
T Gauci
Jan 31st 2012, 18:42
Put yours where your mouth is...we don't need any agreements as there are already existing laws on copyright.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 31st 2012, 19:01
Did you read it? Because if you did, you should tell us where all these negative comments are wrong. Instead you just try to be clever.
David Zammit
Jan 31st 2012, 20:31
Patrick get you facts right and do not show your stupidity
Ramon Casha
Feb 1st 2012, 06:02
Yes, I have read it, although I doubt that you have. Is it so surprising that an agreement hammered out by the industry lobby in total secrecy without the involvement of any consumer rights representatives would cater solely for the whims of that same industry at the expense of the consumer? Only after it was exposed by Wikileaks were a few safeguards put in, and these do not address all concerns.
T Gauci
Jan 31st 2012, 16:43
"The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is directed at large-scale criminals and not private internet users. In addition, we definitely agree that international cooperation against counterfeiting and piracy should be stepped up because this will enhance European competitiveness and innovation and will protect jobs in Malta, in this growing sector." they said."
This is taken out of context! nowhere it mentions "large scale criminals" ACTA will go after anyone being a regular internet user or a hard core pirate, copyright holders across the globe can notify authorities and charge you with piracy crime and you would be unable to defend yourself.
Karistu Abela
Jan 31st 2012, 19:56
Int daqstant ċert li hija kontra l-kriminali l-kbar - tista tispjegali dak li qiegħed jigri l-Ingilterra fil-kas ta' żaghżugħ ta' 23 sena Richard O'Dwyer li kull ma għamel huwa li bena paġna mnejn tista tniżżel xi film dan qiegħed jissogra 10 snin ħbas fl-Amerika jekk trid taqra l-istorja kollha din tinsab f'dan is-sit http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2087135/Richard-ODwyer-US-extradition-pact-misused-says-Sir-Menzies-Campbell.html#ixzz1l2xyonCE
pat muscat
Jan 31st 2012, 16:17
Acta legislated behind our backs; just like the 500 euros increase! With GonziPN you get what you don't see!
Patrick Fenech
Jan 31st 2012, 18:04
X'ghandu x'jaqsam? Do you know what ACTA is?
pat muscat
Jan 31st 2012, 18:35
Is Patrick Fenech an other self appointed expert? Mr Fenech, I have eyes to read and a mind to think. I am not a pappagalla. Go on the internet-till you have the freedom to do so-and see how this ACTA was negotiated in secret behind our backs.
Victor Jacono
Jan 31st 2012, 16:11
A matter of trust, as I said earlier:
Watch this: http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/acta-new-sopa-0022012
Emanuel Farrugia
Jan 31st 2012, 15:40
the NGO found at www.avaaz.org is making a worldwide petition to collect 500,000 signatures aimed at persuading the European Parliament to vote against the ACTA resolution at the final stage due in June.
Alfred Dimech
Jan 31st 2012, 15:35
People should make a distinction here:
Kader Arif resigned over the lack of transparency over the closed-doors manner in which ACTA has been negotiated. I agree with him, it was deplorable. This fact should be protested over. ACTA has basically been introduced in an undemocratic manner.
However, what the PN MEPs are saying is also true. The current version of the ACTA agreement will not erode peoples civil liberties in any way. Nor will copyright holders be given any power which anybody would consider unjust. All that is being implemented is a minimum set of laws which allow copyright holders to dispute alleged copyright infringements. That is all.
Nothing in the agreement stipulates that there will be ISP monitoring, or that ISPs will be liable for their client's downloads. Nor will there be a 3 strike system for illegal downloads, nor will DRM circumnavigation be declared illegal (if it does, then bye, bye Linux for home use). These laws were in the original ACTA agreement, but they have since been watered down. I cannot find anything in the current ACTA draft that I would consider draconian.
So please rather than hysterically banging pots over our head or using this situation for our tribal compulsions (i.e. PL monkeys throwing excrement at PN monkeys), let's instead have an honest discussion about this draft, and what is wrong with it.
Mr Albert Borg
Jan 31st 2012, 15:47
Alfred - the terms proposed are not well defined and as you may pretty well guess when something is 'open to interpretation' all hell breaks lose. The issue though is even a matter of having the onus of proving illegality on the user rather than the company claiming felony - instead of having an innocent until proven guilty attitude, we have flipped the concept upside down are demanding that the onus is on the user to prove innocence!
Matthew Bugeja
Jan 31st 2012, 15:54
Dear Alfred you seem to know your stuff so can you kindly answer some questions for me?
Can you define copyright?
What about inspiration is that a copyright infringement? What about ideas which are similar to another's idea? Is that an infringement of copyright?
If ISPs arent monitoring how will they know who is downloading pirate stuff and non-pirated stuff? Will they just investigate on guess work? How are you proposing that they would detect pirate downloads if that is the case?
Did you know that when they stormed mega upload they also got the servers with the data of all registered users information on them? is that not a breach of privacy?
I have some more queries if you don't mind answering them..
Alfred Dimech
Jan 31st 2012, 16:34
Albert & Matthew. This is what I have concluded from reading the draft. Please check yourselves and correct me if I'm wrong.
I agree that copyright infringement is something open to interpretation. But this is true for all copyright laws. The final ACTA draft states the following:
"In implementing the provisions of this Chapter, each Party shall take into account the need for proportionality between the seriousness of the infringement, the interests of third parties, and the applicable measures, remedies and penalties"
The treaty cannot infringe on the civil liberties of any signatory country. Of course it is the publics' job that this is the case. Thus, while a copyright holder may feel that something on the internet infringes it's copyright, the individual has the capability to contest that this is not the case. So far, this is nothing different from the current EU legislation as far as I know.
The ideas of what constitutes copyright, what is inspiration etc, etc are valid points, but none of these definitions changes in ACTA. The treaty has not introduced anything which changes when an copy is considered inspired, and when it's considered copyright infringement. As always, this is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Regard ISP monitoring. There are other ways to determine whether a user is downloading without ISP monitoring. In the case of bit-torrent, then one it is possible to detect large scale abusers through a bittorrent tracker. The IPs can be tracked (unreliably) to the ISP, who can then be forced to divulge the most probable user. Something similar can be done for Rapidshare/Megaupload downloads.
Yes, I agree that the fact that they took all the registered user information is not ethical. However the Megaupload incident has nothing to do with ACTA. There was proof that Megaupload were well aware of pirated material on their servers, and were making no attempt to remove them, actually they were incentivising users to put such material online because it helped them make money through ads. If you notice, Rapidshare doesn't seem overly concerned about ACTA at all, and they are based in Switzerland not Hong Kong.
Matthew Bugeja
Jan 31st 2012, 17:15
Then Mr. Dimech, if it is all the same as you are claiming why push this legislation? You are saying that everything is already in place. So why do we need ACTA?
"In implementing the provisions of this Chapter, each Party shall take into account the need for proportionality between the seriousness of the infringement, the interests of third parties, and the applicable measures, remedies and penalties" - What are the interests of the third parties? the owner of Megaupload got 50Years. A single mother a few years ago got fined 150,000 per song on her pc. Is that proportional? Can you guarantee that things like this will not happen? Who decides what is proportional? As far as I know ACTA is also about bringing all the countries in line on consequences of actions. Will they be more lenient here than in the U.S or any other country? or will other countries decide what is proportional?
The ideas of what constitutes copyright, what is inspiration etc, etc are valid points, but none of these definitions changes in ACTA. The treaty has not introduced anything which changes when an copy is considered inspired, and when it's considered copyright infringement. As always, this is considered on a case-by-case basis. - The difference is that ACTA grants the accuser the ability to shoot first and ask later. The website is shut down and then the case is seen to. Would you be able to afford to go up against a mega corporation who accuses you of copyright infringement?
Regard ISP monitoring. There are other ways to determine whether a user is downloading without ISP monitoring. In the case of bit-torrent, then one it is possible to detect large scale abusers through a bittorrent tracker. The IPs can be tracked (unreliably) to the ISP, who can then be forced to divulge the most probable user. Something similar can be done for Rapidshare/Megaupload downloads. - And this is not granting someone access to my internet usage? How?
Yes, I agree that the fact that they took all the registered user information is not ethical. However the Megaupload incident has nothing to do with ACTA. - Will they not be taking servers of companies if caught infringing copyright material? What about Youtube? Wikipedia? the countless other user contribution information websites? can they control all the material that people post on these websites? shall they just shut them down? who do they arrest?
There was proof that Megaupload were well aware of pirated material on their servers, and were making no attempt to remove them, actually they were incentivising users to put such material online because it helped them make money through ads. - And how will they get this proof on individual users? When they have this proof what then? does that grant them access to the users internet usage? who will restrict them to only this?
Can you guarantee that giving this access to individuals when stuff like phone taping require a court order is fair? Who will protect us from abuse of this system?
Is aiding companies who are making millions and billions in profit at the moment really a good reason to potentially open the doors to these scenarios?
Alfred Dimech
Jan 31st 2012, 17:45
@Matthew Bugeja
Here a few points that I can answer:
1) I agree that the 1.5 million fine for that single mother was harsh and unfortunate, but that was more a legal issue (i.e. she refusing to settle for $5000 and dragging the court case, making it very costly) rather than anything else.
2) Tracking bittorrent trackers is hardly an invasion of privacy, it's something anyone can do. ISPs can also be forced to divulge the user corresponding to an IP at a given time if the authorities have a warrant.
3) Regarding wikipedia, youtube being closed down, etc . I think you're referring to the injunction clause in the treaty which says that signatory countries can shutdown sites which refuses to remove copyrighted content. The clause does not say "close first, check later", it assumes that the validity of the accusation has been verified. So, if wikipedia does have some copyrighted content (ex, a nonfree photo of an actor), then it will receive a warning. If it ignores it, the authorities verify whether or not the content is unliscensed, then it applies the injuction.
I agree with your last line. I'm not saying that ACTA is a good treaty, but I think nobody is really focussing on the actual issues of the treaty. I'm much more worried about the implications for small software companies and open source projects due to patents.
Matthew Bugeja
Jan 31st 2012, 18:08
We could keep arguing over this privacy thing until the cows come home but:
I agree with your last line. I'm not saying that ACTA is a good treaty, but I think nobody is really focussing on the actual issues of the treaty. I'm much more worried about the implications for small software companies and open source projects due to patents. - This I agree with and its what I have been saying in other threads. But the potential abuse of privacy which ACTA could lead to is still something that must be given attention.
T Gauci
Jan 31st 2012, 18:37
@Alfred Dimech
I pay for my Internet usage and i can download unlimited date from Rapidshare and torrent. ACTA would make your ISP to check whether the data you've downloaded is legal or not, that's a breach of privacy and as for Megaupload or any other cyberlocker in that matter, it's not liable for what users upload. Whatever say no to ACTA.
Matthew Bugeja
Jan 31st 2012, 15:35
Why can't everyone for once take off their blue and red glasses and just stick together on this? Both parties are in favour of ACTA. Read up on the stance of EPP and S&D the EP groups that the PN and PL MEPs are a part of.They are both in favour of ACTA. Either way we are going to lose out. This is not just about privacy. The implications of ACTA effect a lot more than just our 'internet' lives. Read up on it. Open your eyes before your petty bickering causes damage which we will not be able to fix. This is not a PN VS PL thing. This is a The people Vs Politicians thing. The only people who will benefit from this policy are business people who are pumping money into these political parties. Its not just about internet piracy and privacy. Dont take my word on this. Read, Read, Read, Read, Read and read some more. not just facebook or ToM or Wherever you get your information. Look at different sources. The real image is a lot scarier than what is being portrayed. By either party.
Patrick Fenech
Jan 31st 2012, 15:20
Wow!! I am impressed with the amount of legal experts we have here on this comments wall!!! Maybe you should all go and advise the technocrats at the EC because from your comments it seems you know more about loopholes than them!!
Stop acting paranoid like some supra-national government is out to get you and don't let yourselves be played by the biased arguments hailing from both sides of the global anti-ACTA and pro-ACTA movements.
Wake-up and think for yourselves because both camps are have convincing arguments. So measure them up against each other and form your own opinion!!! But above all, remember that both sides are controlled and backed by huge powerful lobbies, so both sides have vested interests in this affair.
Don't let yourselves be the silly pawns from Malta, used by foreign global lobbies to pursue their own interests!!
Victor Laiviera
Jan 31st 2012, 15:36
Since you seem to know so much about it, perhaps you can tell us why this treaty was negotiated and signed in secret.
Matthew Bugeja
Jan 31st 2012, 15:39
Have you read what ACTA is about? I mean actually read other than what is said on ToM?
Mr Albert Borg
Jan 31st 2012, 15:41
Just to quote a little incident that might shed some light on the situation - Kader Arif, European rapporteur for ACTA, subsequently resigned from his position on 26 January 2012 saying "I want to send a strong signal and alert the public opinion about this unacceptable situation. I will not take part in this masquerade".
If there ever was a time to be paranoid it is now - when freedom of expression and sharing of information is at stake.
http://www.ted.com/talks/defend_our_freedom_to_share_or_why_sopa_is_a_bad_idea.html
before you retort - yes the same principles apply and you may follow the discussion beneath for a more detailed explanation.
Luke Lanzon
Jan 31st 2012, 15:06
How can we beleive politicians when this has been going on behind our backs and wouldn't even have been known to us if not for wikileaks.
Patrick Fenech
Jan 31st 2012, 15:31
Luke, if you think you can contribute to the public service then why don't you join the civil service? That way not only will you be privy to government documents but you can actually give a contribution...
But please, don't ask the government to dump onto the public domain all the texts of negotiated drafts. Can you imagine us in Malta having a public debate over every clause?
The misinformation in the campaign is incredible. Read the ORIGINAL text yourself (which incidentally is available on Commission website) to see how the anti-ACTA populist lobby is riddled with exagerations and blatant lies!!
Luke Lanzon
Jan 31st 2012, 15:59
no thanks I'm too lazy to join something like that, but if you expect me to beleive what is written on the commision website (which IF I am correct was written by the same people that kept this a secret from us for 3 years) then you are wrong.
Matthew Bugeja
Jan 31st 2012, 16:02
Patrick I can only wonder what you are gaining from this.. seeing as how only politicians and business people seem to be in favour of this. Could you kindly inform us where your stand on this? or is it just cause you're the wise man amongst us all?
Patrick Fenech
Jan 31st 2012, 18:20
Sure I can tell where I stand on this. I am all for innovation and internet freedom. And I am all for having an open discussion on the topic. I am also in favour of the protection of copyright and prevention of counterfeits which not only destroy industry but also employment opportunities, health and the very protections of our legal systems.
My agenda is simple: I am sick of emphatic lobbying and flooding of the blogosphere by NGO's who claim to speak for the people while insulting their very intelligence by churning out blatant propoganda.
In short:
- I am for a balanced approach where we look into the issues without bias or emotional fervour
- ACTA needs to respect basic safeguards WHICH IS PRECISELY what the Commission has achieved in the final text
- Better no agreement than a bad agreement
@Luke - your laziness is no justification for doubting the integrity of the European Commission. While I am no fan of the secrecy surrounding the matter, there is no doubt that we cannot have ALL information and negotiating positions sent to our hotmail accounts before the EU is to come to any decisions. Otherwise diplomacy just wouldn't work!!
Unfortunately the bane of the lazy is their reluctance to think.
Luke Lanzon
Jan 31st 2012, 19:54
When I said I was lazy, I meant I was to lazy to join the civil service.... Now from what I can gather from this ACTA thing is that its intention is good, but its too vague, to the point that I don't know where I would stand if I simply upload a song on facebook. Because of its secrecy I have 2 things to say:
1.) Keeping it secret for so long has lost the trust of millions of people.
2.) Now that it got leaked and they decided to put it down on paper and only because of public pressure it had to be explained in more detail (which still isn't enough as it is) how could I beleive what they have written down is the actual truth?
Matthew Bugeja
Feb 1st 2012, 09:52
So can you tell me the negative sides of ACTA? If you can see it from a balanced side and are so well informed about it surely you can see both positives and negatives..
Ramon Casha
Jan 31st 2012, 15:05
Foreign Affairs Committee?? Isn't there a consumer rights or civil liberties committee?
Timothy Cachia
Jan 31st 2012, 15:02
Referendum anyone? :P
Victor Laiviera
Jan 31st 2012, 14:59
Why was it not referred to the committee BEFORE it was signed?
Why?
Mr Andrew Camilleri
Jan 31st 2012, 14:28
The Nationalist MEPs reiterated that the European Commission has given repeated, detailed and written assurances that individual internet users will not be restricted in any way.
Moreover, the Legal Services of the European Parliament have also concluded that ACTA do not breach fundamental freedoms.
"When the final vote on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement ACT is voted upon in the European Parliament this June, we will only support it if we are assured that it does not create undue restrictions for internet users." they said.
So why do you need this last reassurance when you have all the above assurances? Are you doubting these assurances? You had better tell us whether you are trusting them or not, because it sure sounds like you are not.
pat muscat
Jan 31st 2012, 14:28
Millions of people around the world got it wrong! Google, facebook wikepedia, and you tube got it wrong too; Busuttil and Casa got it right! Din bhal tad-Divorzju u Dublin 2!
James Dimech
Jan 31st 2012, 15:06
Mintoff and KMB got it right !!! Because they never wanted us to have computers in the first place. Ehh x'tahseb Pat ??
Joseph Brincat
Jan 31st 2012, 15:27
James Dimech
SO VOTE >> NO
David Zammit
Jan 31st 2012, 15:32
Pat, you seem to think that everyone has got it wrong and only you and Simon and Casa has got it right. You must be the worlds leading expert
pat muscat
Jan 31st 2012, 16:12
Get your facts straight: internet was commercialized in 1994; how could KMB or Mintoff be against computers and internet ?
James Dimech
Jan 31st 2012, 16:26
@pat muscat
I said COMPUTERS not internet. Computers existed pre-87 and it is well documented that the Mintoff / KMB regime was against them.
Pat read and understand before you tap the keyboard. Do not do like Labour and shoot from hip.
Arsenio Ellul
Jan 31st 2012, 16:41
@ James
I would like to remind you that in 1984 I had a ZX Spextrum and I was living in Malta not in Mars. It did cost me Lm120 because I still have the receipt. And I remember well many students my age had computer like Commodore64,Sinclair,IBM, Amstrad,Amiga . We used to load from cassettes even though after half an hour loading it gave you an error, but those were the days. So please get your facts right don't shoot left right and centre like PN.
Joseph Brincat
Jan 31st 2012, 14:22
The truth is that the Government can do every
thing BEHIND our BACKS >> while we cannot !!!!!!!!!
WIKILEAKS DID WRONG BUT IT WAS RIGHT TO THE WORLD
TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING BEHIND OUR BACKS
SO VOTE NO
Nazzareno Cortis
Jan 31st 2012, 14:20
Will you two stop this brainwashing please!!!!!! The Maltese people elected 6 MEP's to represent us in EU. Do not try to do your duty in the EU,as politics are done in Malta!!!
You should do your duty,and let local politics alone---and the 6 of you should unite,and must follow the line of Malta First and formost while working in EU!!!!!! So stop this nonsense of attacking politically your locally opposite members,and grw up!!!!
Francis Attard
Jan 31st 2012, 14:15
http://www.activistpost.com/2012/01/pipa-vote-stalled-while-us-censorship.html
James Dimech
Jan 31st 2012, 14:11
The Resolution which PL voted for was also drafted by the COMMUNISTS. Why did they hide this ??
pat muscat
Jan 31st 2012, 16:14
Yes the Liberals in Europe are all closet communists! Kemm tiflah tkun bravu biex ma nghidlekx kelma ohra!
M Grima
Jan 31st 2012, 14:05
Why is it that the PN is always right and the PL always wrong? What makes you so special? Is it perhaps your mixed up DNA?
Lisa Young
Jan 31st 2012, 14:05
Sign here to stop ACTA
http://www.avaaz.org/en/eu_save_the_internet_spread/?fRuWAbb&pv=273
Patrick Fenech
Jan 31st 2012, 15:34
Read the text Lisa. Not just the shiny AVAAZ slogans:
http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/11/st12/st12196.en11.pdf
Lisa Young
Jan 31st 2012, 14:04
"When the final vote on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement ACT is voted upon in the European Parliament this June, we will only support it if we are assured that it does not create undue restrictions for internet users." they said.
And who decides what 'undue' restrictions may be? Are there any restrictions which you feel are ok to impose? If any restrictions at all are imposed then they may be considered UNDUE
R. Gauci
Jan 31st 2012, 13:59
Jekk tal-PN iridu jkunu komplici mal-qerda ta` l-internet kif nafuh illum go ahead, hafna mill-elettorat zgur mhux se jiehu gost biha din.
J. Camilleri
Jan 31st 2012, 13:46
it may be true that it is "directed at large-scale criminals" but this is a whole cycle where all internet users will be punished...if all sharing websites are closed down (and hey streaming is not stealing!), everyone is going to be affected whatever they say.... and what about ISPs policing our traffic? is this not true as well now? ..you've all got it wrong MEPs and ministers!
Mr l Azzopardi
Jan 31st 2012, 13:43
"right of the Parliament"...that's you Dr Busuttil and your affiliation the EPP.
This is what the Rapporteur had to say:
"I denounce in the strongest possible manner the entire process which has led to the signature of this agreement: failure to address civil society, lack of transparency since the beginning of the negotiations, successive reports of the signature of the text without any explanation, sweeping aside of the views of the European Parliament expressed in several different resolutions.
As rapporteur on this matter, I was contronted by unprecedented manoeuvres by the right of the Parliament to impose an accelerated timetable with a goal of passing the agreement quickly before public opinion could be alerted, depriving the Parliament of its rights of expression and the tools at its disposal to take account of the legitimate demands of citizens.
However, everyone knows that the ACTA agreement poses problems, that it is a question of its impact on civil liberties, responsibilities that it could impose onto ISPs, the consequences on the manufacture of generic medicines or the little protection that it offers to our geographic indicators.
This agreement could have major consequences on the lives of our citizens, and yet it seems that everything is being done to ensure that the European Parliament will have no voice in this chapter. Thus, today, in handing back the report that I have been in charge of, I hope to send a strong signal to alert public opinion to this unacceptable situation. I will not participate in this masquerade."
Dylan Axisa
Jan 31st 2012, 13:33
This is what could've happened:
1. they did not actually READ the agreement
2. they did not UNDERSTAND the agreement because they are NOT technical in this field
or 3. they READ & UNDERSTOOD the agreement but simply chose to sign it because more money is better than less money.
Did you see that man who raped and set women on fire (literally)? He got 20 years in prison for doing that plus a small fine... The owner of Megaupload got 50 years and a huge fine!! This is crazy! I sincerely cannot understand this world we live in anymore!
Anyway, protest against ACTA on 11th February, 2012... BE THERE IF YOU CARE!!!!
Peace out! ;)
O Farrugia
Jan 31st 2012, 13:30
I think we already know who got it wrong! Min jaqbad u jiffirma bl-addocc xi haga m'hiex spjegata u mohmija fis-sigriet minn wara dahar kulhadd! Dawn it-tnejn jafu li hemm grupp ta' avukati li qed jahdmu biex tigi irrangata din il-famuza ACTA minn kif iffirmaw ghaliha xi pajjizi ghax tmur kontra id-demokrazija!!? EU ghamja jew le? Nistennew u naraw.
U Mr Simon Busuttil & Co., min ghandu mohh tajjeb jifhem dak li hu sewwa u mhux kull ma tifhmu intom hu tajjeb. Tridu tiddettaw billi thitu l-ghanqbut partiggjan.... Il-Ministru jista jaghlaq halqu ghax mhux emmnut u nahseb li PL MEP's ghamlu l-homework sew.
Charles Cremona
Jan 31st 2012, 13:30
So what if Maltese MEP's don't support it , No one is going to take any notice of them, they are a very small minority in the Euro parliament, Bussutill can rant and shout but no one is listening to him i'm afraid.
Joseph Brincat
Jan 31st 2012, 13:30
JUST VOTE >>>>> NO
SeanCarl Grech
Jan 31st 2012, 13:26
It's obviously all for the general public's good... that's why it has been negotiated in SECRET, and was kept hidden before it was signed..
Victor Jacono
Jan 31st 2012, 13:25
Such statements by these MEPs are an example of how certain politicians - from both sides of the house - will continue to play to our deeply rooted partisan emotions.
This is what makes the process of political maturity so painful.
Their statement basically says:
Trust us because those who conjured ACTA up have assured us. My reply, we trust them no more than we trust you.
Trust us because Labour is wrong. My reply, Labour has nothing to do with this issue. It's a matter of concern to us citizens, it's not a party issue.
Can we Maltese citizens learn to free ourselves from the current political system and mature as politically responsible and participative individuals?
Yes we can, if we put our minds and hearts to face the essential problem - a failed global economic culture. And as far as I can see, our traditional parties appear as out-dated as this failed economy, because they keep addressing the issues on the same old, tried, tested and failed terms
James Tyrrell
Jan 31st 2012, 13:25
I'm confused here. The Maltese Government are saying that they will vote to support the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement ACT. Didn't the Maltese Government sign a trade agreement last year with China which is the biggest source of counterfeiting and piracy in the world? How can they morally support this act whilst at the same time supporting the largest contributor to counterfeit goods in the world?
Maurizio Psaila
Jan 31st 2012, 13:24
@ j brincat:
The article states it clear. The resolution by the Socialists, Greens and Liberals was defeated, meaning that a majority of the 736 MEPs in the house voted AGAINST it!
So forget it! Its is not Busuttil and Casa finding nitty gritty to prove a political point to win elections!...
@ victor laveira:
You specialise in mixing things up to picture a mess! To refresh your memories, Arab Spring use of the social media WAS NOT done by corporations / commercial enterprises or mega software companies!!! It was done by the people! A mobile photo distributed on the net by a youth / a camera photo uploaded on Facebook by a worker... and so on.
So there you are!!! ACTA has nothing to do with this... read well before you blog!!......
Victor Laiviera
Jan 31st 2012, 15:03
@ Maurizio Psaila
You are missing the point. ACTA will give governments the right to inspect and control the CONTENT of online communications. So you can forget protest meetings organised through Facebook and/or Twitter.
Zagroma Savrene
Jan 31st 2012, 13:17
NO TO ACTA! YES TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH! Vote against ANYONE who is in favor of ACTA!
Mario Farrugia
Jan 31st 2012, 13:10
Prof Busuttil and Mr Casa - I have a question for you....
WHERE?... just WHERE?? does it state that "The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is directed at large-scale criminals and not private internet users."
Go on! I invite you to keep gracing us with your profound wisdom and explain to us which part in the whole agreement specifically says that private internet users will not or could not be affected.
YOU ARE WRONG - YOU and every PN fanatic who tries to justify these GonziPN blunders are wrong!
And you know it! This is not a pact to eradicate counterfeit trade - it is a blanket law which covers the whole gamut of internet users, private ones included. It is intrusive and undemocratic.
Being MEP's does not make you demi-gods. It does not mean that whatever you say is correct.
On this one, at least, you are definitely wrong.
Andrew Azzopardi
Jan 31st 2012, 13:06
Kader Arif, the European Parliament's rapporteur for ACTA, resigned from his position on 26 January 2012 after denouncing the treaty "in the strongest possible manner" for having "no inclusion of civil society organisations, a lack of transparency from the start of the negotiations, repeated postponing of the signature of the text without an explanation being ever given, [and] exclusion of the EP's demands that were expressed on several occasions in [the] assembly," concluding with his intent to "send a strong signal and alert the public opinion about this unacceptable situation" and refusal to "take part in this masquerade."
So according to our learned PN MEPs, Mr Arif also 'got it wrong'. Pull the other one, Simon!
James Pullicino
Jan 31st 2012, 13:04
The misconceptions are by the politicians world wide who choose to remain tone deaf to what people are worried about. They do so at their own peril - these 'tweeters' are actually their voters... so they should listen more carefully.
Put it this way - if a politician takes a stand against ACTA he will become very popular, very quickly, amongst the people that count, so there is a lot of opportunity here really.
Angelo Vassallo
Jan 31st 2012, 13:03
@ Victor Laiviera
il-verita` hija li l-partit lejburista ghal darba ohra, zelaq fin-niexef.
Dejjem fuq in-naha l-hazina ta' l-istorja. X'ma taghmlux biex twaqqghu lill-gvern immexxi minn GONZIPN?
Alfred Vassallo
Jan 31st 2012, 16:59
Miskin dejjem 'one track mind' hasra ma semmhewkx manswetu jew fidel.
David Zammit
Jan 31st 2012, 12:59
Simon and David get your act together and please do not treat us as children. Remember you were elected to serve the public or some large scale corporation. I am sorry but I am starting to feel that PN is selling us out.
Alex Ellul
Jan 31st 2012, 12:58
While the PN Euro MPs seem to appreciate more than the PL ones the risks of increased internet restrictions that we small citizens may experience once ACTA is enacted to defend the Big industry, the key word in the above statement by Dr.Simon Busuttil is 'undue'. Undue restrictions has a very wide meaning and we need to get reassurance that the rights of the citizens are not touched, let alone restricted. Undue is a dangerous word here.
Etienne Bonanno
Jan 31st 2012, 12:57
ACTA is an extremely dangerous piece of legislation and the least that the government could do is to set up an information campaign so that every internet user is aware of the issues and how it will affect him or her. This is not a partisan issue and it is a gross mistake to turn it into one.
It appears that we never learn and it is always big business that gets the upper hand in anything that goes down.
Chris Borg
Jan 31st 2012, 12:57
If this legislation is implemented in Malta, Both LABOUR AND PN can kiss my VOTE good bye.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 31st 2012, 12:55
Of Mr Busutill and Mr Casa you arwe gonzipn candidates therefore you are always right.
C. Bajada
Jan 31st 2012, 12:51
On Dr. Simon Busuttil's Facebook page: "this is not a subject I follow" (referring to ACTA, posted this week). Yet a few days later he is defending having voted in favour of ACTA, and obviously attacking Labour rather than properly explaining the purpose of this act. "Protect jobs in the growing sector"? ACTA has a serious effect on innovation, having innovators being liable to disproportionate criminal charges for potential copyright infringements, plus multiple other reasons. I hope that when it comes to the final vote, our MEPs would represent the public interest this time!
Michelle Pirotta
Jan 31st 2012, 12:48
Again, Labour tries to join some unknown bandwagon
read well what's this is about
Michelle Pirotta
Jan 31st 2012, 12:48
Il-Labour ma jitlifx okkazjoni li jaqbez ma kull haga li tista b xi mod trebbhu l-voti
Dominic Fenech
Jan 31st 2012, 12:45
The internet is ablaze with outrage but these two got it right.
Matthew Galea Debono
Jan 31st 2012, 12:45
Dear MEP's,
You're sitting in that chair partly because of my vote. Until the EDPR issues an official statement to EU lawyers outlining the exact planned application of the principles of ACTA towards individuals and small to medium enterprises, you hold less credibility than Anonymous in my eyes. You're all going to be answerable to a collective consciousness that has grown on the internet the likes of which you cannot even begin to grasp. If the internet users of Malta wake up to find their creativity and innovation stifled you're very likely walking into instigating a crisis that will make the Euro crisis look like little more than a carpet burn. Until I see some hard facts stating otherwise, this bill ought to be hung out to dry along with the sneaky (to put it mildly) MEP's that worked on it in secret.
Without trying to issue any form of threat as it is not my goal, may I be the first to warn you that messing with the internet is probably not something very prudent.
R Bonello
Jan 31st 2012, 12:40
lies lies and more lies....thanks to pn we can also say goodbye to free internet :(
R. Borg
Jan 31st 2012, 12:38
PN MEPs are always right. Remember what they told to the hunter...........................!
R. Balzan
Jan 31st 2012, 12:37
Why do all these Nationalist MPs and MEPs always think that they , and only they, are right about everything and anything concerning the PL must be wrong? This is not just an arrogant superiority complex but it is something much worse.
Mr Michel Ellul
Jan 31st 2012, 12:30
Sur Busuttil, tell us the story again and this time change the subject to..let's say park and ride and that your government assured that it will remain free.......
Why don't you say clearly that you and Casa voted against -
- for ACTA to not be imposed on developing countries
- for to have legal clarities before ACTA is introduced
- for to have a fundamental rights clarity before ACTA is introduced
- for to have an impact assessment on the fundamental rights clarity before ACTA is introduced
- for to clarify scope and what really concerns ACTA before is introduced
http://www.laquadrature.net/wiki/ACTA_resolution_MT
xi hlew ux !!! l-ewwel fattartuwa issa qed tipprova tiggustifikaw ghemilkhom.
E Schembri
Jan 31st 2012, 12:28
If we have nothing to worry about, why don't they release the details of the ACTA treaty?
They expect us to believe their reassurances, BUT we DON'T, for the simple reason that the root cause of the ACTA is the large corporate entertainment companies also know as the Hollywood bunch! This is what they have been pushing for since the closure of Napster way back.
The only people to gain from these treaties are the ones who own several villas and yachts around the world, as we citizens will have to pay to support their obsolete business models and lifestyles.
Andre` Vella
Jan 31st 2012, 12:27
Why isn't AD's point of view included in the article?
Victor Laiviera
Jan 31st 2012, 12:21
Watch and learn the truth:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=citzRjwk-sQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8Xg_C2YmG0
Joseph Frantz
Jan 31st 2012, 12:45
100% agree with you ...... The Truth
Alfred Dimech
Jan 31st 2012, 13:09
I know you don't really care, but those videos do not apply to the current draft of ACTA. The agreement has been drafted and re-drafted numerous times, weakening it to suit the individual liberties of the signatory nations. The sources of those videos are dubious, and so is their content.
If you really want to form an educated opinion why don't you read the latest ACTA draft yourself? It's available online. I'm sure you'll still use ACTA as another tool to attack the government, but for me ACTA is more important than your petty politics, and it's important that people understand what it does and what it doesn't.
carlos ellul
Jan 31st 2012, 12:21
Was it Labour who signed the Dublin 2 treaty which have placed us in this mess (regarding the illegal immigration phenomenon)? NO
Im sorry Mr Busuttil and Mr Casa but I don't believe you one bit. Sign the ACTA deal and PN can kiss my vote goodbye.
j brincat
Jan 31st 2012, 12:18
So according to these gentlemen who think they know it all n a statement the Socialist group, along with the Liberals and the Greens ALL got it wrong!
(jb)
Andre Cilia
Jan 31st 2012, 13:47
maybe not all... but the Maltese ones did...
see for yourself
http://www.laquadrature.net/wiki/ACTA_resolution_MT
Andre Cilia
Jan 31st 2012, 13:48
http://www.votewatch.eu/cx_vote_details.php?id_act=1189&euro_vot_valoare&euro_vot_rol_euro_grup&euro_vot_rol_euro_tara&vers=2&order_by=euro_parlamentar_nume&order=ASC&last_order_by=euro_parlamentar_nume&limit=0&offset=0&nextorder=ASC&euro_tara_id=16&euro_grup_id
Victor Laiviera
Jan 31st 2012, 12:17
They are wrong. ACTA will destroy the internet aw we know it - and seriously hamper freedom of speech.
If ACTA had been in force, the Arab Spring would not have been possible and Tunisia, Egypt and Libya would probably still be dictatorships.
J Pace
Jan 31st 2012, 12:43
x'ghandu x'jaqsam intellectual property with Arab Spring?
Don't you think Gaddafi et. al didn't try censoring the Internet?
ACTA (which I myself also have reservations about by the way) would not have had any impact on this whatsoever.. ma nhalltux il-hass mal-basla.
Victor Laiviera
Jan 31st 2012, 15:08
@ J Pace
One of the worst things about ACTA is that the language is so broad and vague that any government will be able to interpret it as it likes. And you can be sure that those governments would have interpreted it as giving them the power to block Facebook and Twitter.
It's you who is only seeing as far as the tip of his nose.
J Pace
Jan 31st 2012, 15:43
So you genuinely think that ACTA would have prevented the Arab Spring, because without it, Gaddafi would not have felt it was right to inspect internet content.. u hallina!
A Cachia
Jan 31st 2012, 12:14
"Tort tal-lejber anki jekk hadt puncture dal-ghodu!"
Philip Grech
Jan 31st 2012, 12:12
The Nationalist MEPs reiterated that the European Commission has given repeated, detailed and written assurances that individual internet users will not be restricted in any way.
That is exactly why I do not trust them. Several times bitten, many times shy.
m. borg (slm)
Jan 31st 2012, 13:00
Ask local hunters, birdtrappers and fisherman about assurances from the EU and the Casa/Busutill tandem.
Edward Curmi
Jan 31st 2012, 12:11
And we elected 4PL and 2PN MEP.....what a farse!
Guido Farrugia
Jan 31st 2012, 12:49
No wonder the PL is representated by 4 MEP's
m. borg (slm)
Jan 31st 2012, 12:56
You are abolutely rightshould have been 6 PL - 0 PN
John L Galea
Jan 31st 2012, 13:27
And why?
Paul Micallef
Jan 31st 2012, 14:00
The farce is how Casa was elected, and the fact that people like you continue to believe the PN, THAT is the real farce!
James Grech
Jan 31st 2012, 12:09
"The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement is directed at large-scale criminals and not private internet users. In addition, we definitely agree that international cooperation against counterfeiting and piracy should be stepped up because this will enhance European competiveness and innovation and will protect jobs in Malta, in this growing sector."
Do these MEPs really understand the consequences behind ACTA? From these statements it seems that they have not even gone through what is being proposed and yet they voted in favour.
William Calleja
Jan 31st 2012, 12:07
This is moronic and vile, the MEPs are turning a non partisan issue into a partisna one, and as usual the coloured monkeys play into it like the uneducated simians that they are.
d. attard
Jan 31st 2012, 11:59
How sweet...Labour always gets it wrong...so does that mean always, I mean was there not even one instance ever that labour got it right? What childish comments that render the gentlemen's utterings uncredible.
Joe Vella
Jan 31st 2012, 12:25
On Issues that matter; On Nation Buiding. From Integration/Independence, EU, on the Euro; Yes always got it wrong.
Paul Micallef
Jan 31st 2012, 14:02
Joe Vella: You mean that the Nationalist Party got it right about the EU, Euro, Integration/Independence and so on? Are you serious? Seems to me you are not living in the world
Daniel Dimech
Jan 31st 2012, 14:11
anke fuq is sigurta socjali li bnew pajjiz biha???? ghax shabek dejjem ivvotaw kontra!!!! @ joe
Arsenio Ellul
Jan 31st 2012, 14:12
@ Joe Vella
So according to your reasoning Labour was wrong to inroduce pensions, children's allowance,bonuses,removing capital punishment,making Malta a Republic, decriminalise homosexuality, vote for women, voting for all persons over 18,etc.. Do these issues matter or not. PN was always against these things. If you're happy PN MEP's voted for ACTA, I don't. This has nothing to do with politics but privacy.
Ramon Casha
Jan 31st 2012, 11:57
"The Nationalist MEPs reiterated that the European Commission has given repeated, detailed and written assurances that individual internet users will not be restricted in any way."
In other words, "Trust us, we're the Government!". I reject the idea of giving up these basic rights and safeguards based on someone's assurance that it will never be abused. The PN MEPs have betrayed and sold their country - something to keep in mind come next EP election.
R Bonello
Jan 31st 2012, 12:10
100 % right :)
Peter Gee
Jan 31st 2012, 11:53
Are these learned MEP's trying to tell us that previously there were no laws against Fraud and counterfeiting. Why is the wordage used in ACTA so vague and general?
K. Vella
Jan 31st 2012, 11:51
This is the risk to vote for Labour.
We have only seen new branding/image (emblem, ties, shaving off the moustache, etc.., cliches & rhetoric and rejection of their own same (red) colour which apparently shows that they are ashamed of.
Whenever, a PL statement is released it shows a lack of expertise & knowledge.
It is a pity to have such an amateur opposition.
Mr Albert Borg
Jan 31st 2012, 12:03
Sir you are blind enough to not realise that the issue at hand here is the resolution of a law which will have disastrous repercussions upon the freedom information sharing currently enjoys. This is not a political issue and has nothing to do with partisan politics - all our MEPs voted in line with their EU affiliates.
THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE AND SHAME FOR TRYING TO DEPICT IT AS SUCH
Read and inform yourselves about ACTA, it is far from the benevolent neighbourhood watch that The PN MEPs are claiming it is.
R. Caruana
Jan 31st 2012, 12:06
What are you blabbling about? At a European Level only the EPP is in favour of this law. Every other party in Europe have their objections while the EPP is accepting this at every stage. Mr.Vella if you're happy to have be surveilled 24 hours a day just in case you do something wrong go ahead you have a huge self-esteem problem I'm sorry to tell you. Good for you I seem to value you & everyone as a human being more then you do with yourself.
emmanuel camilleri
Jan 31st 2012, 12:11
anqas taf xinti tid habib!!! fittex naqa u tkun taf kemm din l-acta hi hazina!!! almenu dawn qabzu ad-dritijit tana c-citadini mux bhal mep's tijak, li jimlewk bix-xemgha umbad jitfawk l-infern!!! taf li ax sempliciment tkun dowlodjajt diska jistaw jaqtawk mil-internet bla ma jtellawk il-qorti, grazzi al-acta??? taf li anke habs tista tehel??? x'jobs uma li qed jintilfu??? li kantanti flok jaqlaw 10 miljuni, jaqilaw 20? al dawn qed naqbzu??? qabel titkellem fitex naqa, tkunx mohh maluq li ax jidlek partit ek, kolox tajjeb... anna 75% ta malta, jekk mux iktar, mohom maluq, ax tal-partit kolox tajjeb....
Alfred Vassallo
Jan 31st 2012, 12:12
And this is the risk when people vote for pn.
Look at this.
Quote ''When the final vote on the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement ACT is voted upon in the European Parliament this June, we will only support it if we are assured that it does not create undue restrictions for internet users." they said.''
Not even the pn is sure of the whole excerise otherwise they wouldn't have said that.... so there goes that the pl 'shoots from the hip'.
A Cachia
Jan 31st 2012, 12:15
Watch this and then blame PL and the major parties in the world.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOOhccwY74Y
m. borg (slm)
Jan 31st 2012, 12:58
@K Vella maybe when you get the police knocking on your door after downloading some adult entertainment then you would think differently.
Paul Micallef
Jan 31st 2012, 14:05
Look who's talking about being amateur! What about the risk of voting your beloved PN! We all saw the 'successes' you made with Arriva, Smart City, BOV, Mid Med, Sea Malta, Tarzna, deficit, finances, court and the list goes on and on...
Victor Vella
Jan 31st 2012, 11:44
Hahahahha!!!!!
Please choose the reason of your report below: