The controversial Anti-Conterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) treaty, has been voted against by three key European Union committees.
The treaty, which aims to reduce/control piracy, was rejected by the committes which were tasked with assessing how legal and how much impact it will have on Civil liberties and industry.
Already, 22 member states have signed the treaty, but awaits formal ratification.
Though the treaty covers the counterfeiting of physical items, like medicines, it is the measures relating to pirated materials on the internet, that have caused concern among individuals. The possible measures include possible imprisonment and fines.
But critics say it is a possible threat to freedom of speech online.
The treaty, which is likened to the controversial "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA), now awaits the vote of the European Parliament in July. If voted against, the treaty will be scrapped totally.
http://abubaka./2012/05/31/talk-of-europe-potential-anti-internet-freedom-treaty-awaits-european-parliament-support-2/