Copyright treaty criticised

The European Parliament’s president has criticised an international copyright treaty, arguing that it lacks sufficient balance.

Backers of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, or Acta, said it is needed to harmonise international standards to protect the rights of those who produce music, movies, pharmaceuticals and other piracy-prone products. But opponents fear it will lead to censorship and a loss of privacy on the internet. Thousands protested in several European countries.

European Parliament president Martin Schulz told Germany’s ARD television: “I don’t find it good in its current form.”