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Thousands march in Poland over Acta internet treaty | Thousands march in Poland over Acta internet treaty |
(about 1 hour later) | |
More than 10,000 people have taken to Poland's streets to protest the signing of an international treaty activists say amounts to internet censorship. | More than 10,000 people have taken to Poland's streets to protest the signing of an international treaty activists say amounts to internet censorship. |
Prime Minister Donald Tusk says his government will on Thursday sign the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. | Prime Minister Donald Tusk says his government will on Thursday sign the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement. |
The treaty, known as Acta, aims to establish international standards to enforce intellectual property rights. | The treaty, known as Acta, aims to establish international standards to enforce intellectual property rights. |
But critics say it could curb freedom of expression, and government websites have been hacked in protest. | But critics say it could curb freedom of expression, and government websites have been hacked in protest. |
Several marches took place in cities across the nation on Wednesday, says the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw. | Several marches took place in cities across the nation on Wednesday, says the BBC's Adam Easton in Warsaw. |
Crowds of mostly young people held banners with slogans such as "no to censorship" and "a free internet". | Crowds of mostly young people held banners with slogans such as "no to censorship" and "a free internet". |
After convening a special government meeting to discuss the issue, Mr Tusk said the government would not be blackmailed by the treaty's opponents. | After convening a special government meeting to discuss the issue, Mr Tusk said the government would not be blackmailed by the treaty's opponents. |
There would be ample time for public discussion about the treaty before it was ratified by the Polish parliament, he said. | There would be ample time for public discussion about the treaty before it was ratified by the Polish parliament, he said. |
The agreement has so far been signed by the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea. Poland is expected to sign it in Tokyo on Thursday. | The agreement has so far been signed by the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea. Poland is expected to sign it in Tokyo on Thursday. |
Acta shares similarities with America's Stop Online Piracy Act, which US lawmakers set aside last week after Wikipedia and Google blacked out or partially obscured their websites for a day in protest. | Acta shares similarities with America's Stop Online Piracy Act, which US lawmakers set aside last week after Wikipedia and Google blacked out or partially obscured their websites for a day in protest. |
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