InternetNZ welcomes release of ACTA text

InternetNZ (Internet New Zealand Inc) welcomes the release of the ACTA (Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement) negotiating text and thanks the New Zealand Government for supporting the call for transparency.

InternetNZ Policy Director Jordan Carter says the demand for transparency around ACTA has reverberated around the world over the past few months as concern has grown about the inclusion of digital rights enforcement and the impact it may have on domestic law.

"InternetNZ and many others in New Zealand’s technology, artistic and legal communities helped to focus that desire for transparency through the PublicACTA event held on April 10.

"Transparency of the process is one of the key requests that came out of PublicACTA as outlined in the Wellington Declaration. To the Government's credit it has also been on the agenda of the New Zealand negotiators.”

Carter says with the text being made available it will be possible for the public to properly scrutinise the negotiations and ensure our digital future is not sacrificed to protect outmoded business models in the entertainment industry.

A copy of the draft text is available at the following link: http://bit.ly/9SpKD9

More information on ACTA, PublicACTA and the Wellington Declaration can be found at www.publicacta.org.nz

For more information contact:

Jordan Carter
Policy Director
InternetNZ
+64 21 442 649

Richard Wood
Policy and Communications
InternetNZ
04 495 2333