Dems: Secrecy doomed anti-counterfeiting treaty

Democratic lawmakers say they know why the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement faces tough odds in Europe: too much secrecy.

“If I had to predict right now, ACTA is not going to be ratified in Europe because of the public outcry,” Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) said. “I was critical, and I am still critical of the secrecy with which these agreements are being put together.” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) echoed that sentiment. “The latest rejection of ACTA sends a strong signal that treaties impacting a free and open Internet can no longer be negotiated in secret,” Sen Wyden said. “I hope that lawmakers will not again attribute this defeat to ‘online misinformation’ and will instead understand that drafting policies impacting the Internet requires engagement with the millions worldwide for whom the Internet is a part of their daily life.” Although ACTA seems doomed in Europe, the Office of the United States Trade Representative is still talking it up. “We believe that the ACTA will play a key role in helping to protect the intellectual property that is essential to American jobs in innovative and creative industries,” a USTR representative said about the treaty. But Rashmi Rangnath, a staff attorney with Public Knowledge, agreed with Rep Lofgren and Sen Wyden.