The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) remains a hotbed of controversy among Internet users, copyright holders and federal governments. Wikileaks first published an ACTA closed-door negotiation discussion paper when the public knew very little about ACTA's contents -- but secrecy and other issues have remained.
Thanks to WikiLeaks continued publishing of US diplomatic cables, new information is now being revealed about ACTA discussions, as many of the countries express concern over the secrecy of the treaty. Italian foreign ministry intellectual property officials were concerned with the confidentiality of ACTA starting in November 2008. Just one year later, Swedish politicians also had mounting concerns due to secrecy and a hidden political agenda fueled by possibly inappropriate sources.
There have been many calls for an immediate public disclosure, but supporters stalled until the agreement was finalized. The trade agreement was approved by a host of nations ranging from Canada and the United States to Japan and Singapore, though concerns of secrecy were there from the beginning.
The European Union (EU) and Mexico expressed concern related to ACTA earlier in the fall, as other nations remain confused about enforcement. Other ACTA participating nations have already expressed concerns, with privacy groups and many lawmakers still unsure how to move forward.
After ACTA was finalized in November, each nation confirmed they'd be responsible for how goods would be protected -- and if their laws currently adhere to ACTA.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) continues to oppose ACTA, stating that there is too much secrecy involved in the treaty. Wikileaks has continued to publish documents regarding ACTA (much to the dismay of ACTA supporters), with immediate calls for disclosure.
ACTA and its surrounding controversy will continue well into 2011, with governments still searching for ways to reduce piracy. The actual ACTA text was released, but changes will be called for as criticism mounts related to the controversial trade agreement.
