[Washingtonpost] EU, facing opposition, suspends ratification of copyright treaty, refers to Court of Justice

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The European Commission, facing opposition in city streets, on the Internet and in the halls of parliament, has suspended efforts to ratify a new international anti-counterfeiting agreement, and instead will refer it to Europe’s highest court to see whether it violates any fundamental EU rights. […]

The decision appeared to reflect recognition by European Union officials of the political obstacles. Protests against the agreement were staged earlier this month in several European capitals — including Berlin, Helsinki, Paris and Vienna — by critics who say the agreement would stifle free speech and access to information. […]

The treaty has been questioned by members of the European Parliament. On Sunday, European Parliament President Martin Schulz told Germany’s ARD television: “I don’t find it good in its current form.” […]

No legal debate can fix ACTA or give it a legitimacy that by design it cannot have,” said Jeremie Zimmermann, co-founder of the Internet advocacy group La Quadrature du Net.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/eu-facing-opposition-suspends-ratification-of-copyright-treaty-refers-to-court-of-justice/2012/02/22/gIQAHdw3SR_story.html