Ratification of ACTA
ACTA, although already signed by the US, is suddenly beginning to draw criticism as it goes to be submitted to the EU. Critics point out that the President can only ratify "executive agreements" (treaties that don't need to be ratified by Congress) when they are within his/her exclusive domain, and intellectual property rights are in the domain of Congress. Therefore, it was unconstitutional for the President to sign the agreement without Congressional ratification. Similarly, in the EU, critics argue that although the decision is being made by the legislative body of the EU, it wasn't submitted to the individual countries therein for ratification, and this is unlawful.
Moreover, some posit that it lumps lawful non-commercial use of copyrighted material in with unlawful commercial use of copyrighted material, and that it endangers freedom of speech and expression.
AGAINST ACTA:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Counterfeiting_Trade_Agreement
http://www.laquadrature.net/en/brief-the-fundamentals-of-acta
http://www.laquadrature.net/files/201001_acta.pdf
FOR ACTA:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EK525GNv4g
And I couldn't find much more in support of ACTA so the Affs are on their own.
Ratify ACTA
Side Score: 1
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Reject ACTA
Side Score: 1
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At least in the case of the United States, its ratification was unconstitutional. True, the president is allowed to make "executive agreements" when the agreement lies solely within his/her jurisdiction, but as ACTA is an agreement over international property rights, it is int the jurisdiction of the Senate. ACTA must be brought before and ratified by the Senate before the United States can be a true signer of the legislation. Additionally, besides the President's unconstitutional actions, ACTA should be rejected for the reasons mentioned in the article above. It attempts to cure online piracy by lumping together both legal downloading of open-sourced software and techniques and public trademarks that may be used for non-commercial purposes with the illegal act of downloading copyrighted material for the profit of one or more parties (ACTUAL online piracy like downloading movies, music, tv shows, etc.). It has the same failings that SOPA/PIPA have/had and should be rejected for the same reasons. It poses threats to net neutrality and freedom of speech and expression. Side: Reject ACTA
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