The controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (Acta) has been rejected by the European parliament .
European Parliament lawmakers voted against the agreement by 478 to 39 with 165 abstentions, meaning the proposed law will have to be renegotiated by the European Commission, the EU’s executive.
The agreement which was intended to curb piracy was protested by campaigners saying it posed threat to online freedom .
The rejection vote followed a failed attempt to postpone the decision because of ongoing investigations into Acta by the European Court of Justice.
Euro MP David Martin said: "It's time to give [Acta] its last rites."
Twenty-two EU member states, including the UK, had signed the Acta treaty - but it had not been formally ratified.
Outside the EU, the treaty also had the support of the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea.
However, following significant protests, several countries chose not to back it.
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European Parliament lawmakers voted against the agreement by 478 to 39 with 165 abstentions, meaning the proposed law will have to be renegotiated by the European Commission, the EU’s executive.
The agreement which was intended to curb piracy was protested by campaigners saying it posed threat to online freedom .
The rejection vote followed a failed attempt to postpone the decision because of ongoing investigations into Acta by the European Court of Justice.
Euro MP David Martin said: "It's time to give [Acta] its last rites."
Twenty-two EU member states, including the UK, had signed the Acta treaty - but it had not been formally ratified.
Outside the EU, the treaty also had the support of the US, Australia, Canada, Japan, Morocco, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea.
However, following significant protests, several countries chose not to back it.
Read More At - Source