Now the European Commission today on behalf of all the member states of the EU the Acta treaty signed, the Second Chamber and the European Parliament. They must determine whether the treaty is ratified and, therefore, in force.
Today signs the European Commission, the Anti-counterfeiting trade agreement in Japan. The governments of all EU member states consider this behind the treaty. Some states, such as Ireland and Poland, only went at the last moment agree to the treaty. In Poland was, moreover, accompanied by large protests and even riots.
That does not mean that the treaty is already in force, the treaty must still be ratified. The European Parliament treat the treaty, probably in June, and will determine whether the treaty is adopted or not. To the treaty in the Netherlands to ratify, it is necessary that the Second Chamber ratifies.
There is much criticism of the treaty and opponents have been petitions started to get mps under pressure to put the treaty to ratify it. Also on the negotiations was a lot of criticism, because that is largely behind closed doors took place. Is also still here and there claimed that the treaty is not known, but since the middle of last year, the treaty is open to the public. The documents about the conclusion of the treaty, however, remain behind closed doors, to the dissatisfaction of the Second Room.
The Acta treaty is now been compared to the controversial American Pipa and Sopa bills, but it will probably be the treaty far less. The European Commission and the Dutch government have repeatedly indicated that existing legislation does not need to be adjusted and that the treaty does not go beyond what is now legally possible. Controversial provisions, such as the exit of auteursrechtschenders of the internet, are deleted.
Still, with the treaty, for example, copyright holders have more opportunities to downloaders to tackle. Legal experts have also stated that EU law and the Acta treaty are in conflict with each other, and that the treaty, even international treaties it violates.
Under more mep Marietje Schaake from D66 is a fierce opponent of the treaty. She wants to organise a hearing in which anyone who thinks to be disadvantaged by the treaty, his opinion can be heard.
Or the treaty is ratified, it is the crucial question. In the Second Room, it depends probably of the PVV on whether the treaty is ratified. That said party will always oppose, but held back the government to the treaty to sign. In the european parliament seems to be a small majority of the convention to support.
Update, 14:47: the Netherlands has the acta treaty is still not signed, let Mep Schaake after inquiring to know. The Dutch ambassador would not be on time, have been authorised to sign the document; the reason is unclear. Likely to occur soon still.