11 Aug, 2003: International Civil Liberties Coalition Urges Rejection of IP Enforcement Directive
International Civil Liberties Coalition Urges Rejection of IP Enforcement Directive Campaign for an Open Digital Environment (CODE) Sends Letter to EU to Protect Consumer Rights and Competition An international coalition of 50 civil liberties groups and consumer rights campaigns sent a letter to the European Union today urging rejection of the proposed Intellectual property Enforcement Directive. The coalition warns that the proposed Directive is overbroad and threatens civil liberties, innovation, and competition policy. The proposal requires EU Member States to criminalize all violations of any intellectual property right that can be tied to any commercial purpose, with penalties to include imprisonment. "If this proposal becomes a reality, major companies from ...