COMMENTARY | Those who fought against the Stop Online Piracy Act, or SOPA, by contacting lawmakers, supporting web black outs and informing others did a great job, but cannot relax just yet. Although the president himself ended up siding with us in opposing this act, the lobbying is not over and so, neither is the fight. In fact, it is far from over. Here's a look at what's ahead:
World War Web
The Anti-Counterfeiting Trademark Agreement, ACTA, is sitting in the wings, as is the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, TPP. All these initials add up to one particular end goal, an internet-centric "anti-piracy" bill that raises concerns for both consumers' privacy and civil liberties.
Protest ACTA on February 11, 2012
Currently, 22 countries in Europe have signed ACTA, but the European Parliament has yet to pass it. Those opposed in Europe are asking for similar help as the SOPA and PIPA protests in hopes to have a similar outcome. On February 11, protests are being organized by Access, a self-proclaimed global movement for internet freedom in an attempt to show the EU that they must ultimately reject the ACTA.
More than the internet is at stake
The ACTA is not limited to the internet; in a scary twist, the crackdown would include generic drugs and a global standard on seed patents that would threaten local farmers and ultimately the food supply across the world, according to Forbes.
Hollywood money behind the scenes
Human rights in the 21 century is increasingly dependent on technology and there is an ominous feel to the continued push to squash the rights of citizens in the United States and across the globe. Hollywood has spent more than $150 million in order to lobby the government, and they do not seem to be going down quietly.
Trans-Pacific Partnership
SOPA and PIPA may be history, but the current push for TPP is going on in secret, or not so secret, meetings in Hollywood. The TPP would reportedly rewrite the global rules on IP enforcement. The provisions would go far and above the current U.S. law regarding copyright, due process, privacy and freedom of expression.
Why the secrecy?
Although the U.S. International Trade Commission issued a copy of the TPP in 2011, the secrecy of the current push makes one wonder what is on this treaty. One attempt after another creates veil that makes it hard to decipher exactly what is at stake, until it is too late.
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