A European Parliament committee yesterday rejected a request to refer the controversial Anti-Counterfeit Trade Agreement to the European Court of Justice.

Instead, the International Trade Committee decided it should proceed with discussions and will then decide whether to approve the agreement.

Last month, the EP’s rapporteur, Socialist MEP David Martin, said he would follow the European Commission’s cue to refer the agreement to the ECJ on the question of legality.

However, the majority of MEPs in the committee rejected the proposal on grounds that the referral would only serve to prolong the EP’s decision.

Acta needs consent of the EP to enter into force

After the vote, Mr Martin said he would adhere to the previously agreed timetable for Parliament’s recommendation on whether to say yes or no to Acta.

According to the previously agreed timetable, at the next committee meeting in April, Mr Martin will present his recommendation to be first voted on by the International Trade Committee in May and then by the plenary in either June and July.

The Acta agreement needs the consent of the EP to enter into force.

Malta, which was one of the 22 EU member states which initiated the agreement together with the Commission, had put the ratification process on hold until the ECJ pronounces itself on this agreement.

The ECJ normally takes between 12 and 18 months to deliver a judgement on a case.

Acta is an international treaty aiming to protect intellectual property but many worry about its implications for online free speech.