17 Bulgarian Cities to Rise against ACTA

A protestor wearing a Guy Fawkes take part in a demonstration to protest against the Swedish government`s plan to ratify the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), in Stockholm, Sweden, 04 February 2012. EPA/BGNES

People from 17 Bulgarian cities and towns are going to rally against the notorious ACTA, the anti-online piracy deal, on Saturday, February 11, 2012, joining thousands in a global protest coordinated by Stopp ACTA.

The so called Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), initiated by the United States and Japan, seeks to protect intellectual property rights, "including infringement taking place in the digital environment".

The Anti-counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) has come under fire from various sides, with Bulgarians being especially concerned about its effect on torrent tracker sites, and the persecution of content sharing.

ACTA was signed by the European Union and 22 of its 27 member states in January. It was signed by Bulgaria, together with three dozen developed nations.

As it is expected to crack down on torrent tracker sites, it has been met with a wave of opposition in Bulgaria which led the Bulgarian government to declare that it would apply ACTA "with reservations". In Poland, the government of Donald Tusk said recently it froze the ratification of ACTA over the massive protests, including street rallies.

But since January, the treaty has been the subject of protest, mainly online, by people who say it will require signatory countries to punish even non-commercial breaches of copyright with criminal prosecution and jail terms.

The Bulgarian cities and towns that are to hold protest rallies against ACTA on February 11 are Sofia Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv, Kardzhali, Haskovo, Yambol, Razgrad, Ruse, Gabrovo, Veliko Tarnovo, Stara Zagora, Vidin, Pernik, Pazardzhik, Kazanlak, Sandanski.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!