A public protest against a controversial intellectual property rights agreement is lining up to be one of the largest local protests in recent history – if Facebook attendance numbers are to be believed.
As of yesterday, more than 3,500 Facebook users had signalled their intention to join Saturday’s protest against the Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement, which is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at City Gate, Valletta.
Organised by the Malta-Anti Acta Group in conjunction with several other civil society groups, the protest seeks to highlight a number of concerns surrounding Acta, from its ambiguous wording to its potential impact on internet users’ privacy.
“Those defending Acta argue that it allows signatories plenty of room for interpretation.
“But what guarantee do we have that it will be interpreted – now and in the future – benignly?” asked Reuben Zammit, one of the group’s founders.
Debate on the agreement has steadily gathered momentum since Malta became one of 22 EU states to sign the agreement last month.
Proponents argue its provisions will cut down on copyright theft and protect innovation-based jobs.
Critics say the agreement is overly-zealous and will restrict individual freedoms without any tangible benefit.
Opposition leader Joseph Muscat reaffirmed the Labour Party’s opposition to Acta last Tuesday, saying that a PL government would extricate Malta from the agreement if there was still time to do so.
In line with the European Commission’s position, the government has insisted that Acta is a valid tool in combating copyright infringement. It has, however, hinted that, despite having signed the agreement, it is still open to debate on the issue.
As the group prepares for tomorrow’s protest march, they will no doubt look towards Poland and the Czech Republic for guidance.
Both countries were among the 22 to sign the agreement last month but mass protests have prompted both governments to suspend their ratification of Acta, jeopardising the agreement’s future.
Will Saturday’s protest result in having a similar effect?