The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, or ACTA to its friends, is coming under fire in the EU from those who fear it will lead to online censorship. But it’s recieved particular attention from the public of Poland, and that’s been reflected by some of the nation’s politicians.
ACTA is a far-reaching agreement. It’s designed to harmonise international standards on protecting the rights of those who produce music, movies and god knows what else and part of that includes tackling online piracy. Those who oppose it worry that EU authorities will start blocking internet content.
Not everyone in the Polish government opposes ACTA, of course, but officials from the Palikot’s Movement do, and they decided to make it known by holding the famed Anonymous masks to their faces in Parliament. Don’t you wish some US polticiains took this kind of approach? [Tech Dirt]
Image: AP
Alpha
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 10:40 AMThey are Guy Fawkes masks
Colonel
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 7:43 PMNow commonly used by ‘hacktivist’ group Anonymous in their protests
Kent
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 3:51 PMThat’s right Colonel, still making them Guy Fawkes masks..
SteveH
Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 11:14 AMAh yes, Anonymous. The disparate band of spotty teenage code-mokeys that seek to legitimise their childish activities by grandiosely donning the mask used in the movie ‘V for Vendetta’. A film whose premise of political change was based upon the historical tale of Guy Fawkes.
DainBramage
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 6:18 AMI am afraid what you know about Anonymous, although correct, is actually wrong. I wish that i could explain the reality of Anonymous to you almost as much as I wish I had your ignorance. Ignorance is bliss…
Nathan
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 10:29 AMYou know, I know this steak doesn’t exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize?
Callie
Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 11:45 AMwell, Guy Fawkes did take on his Government…it’s appropriate for when you’re fighting a Government if you’re looking to make a statement, given the synergy and relevance.
Blake
Monday, January 30, 2012 at 6:10 PMThey were Guy Fawkes masks, but symbols much like words change depending on their usage.
The Swastika for example is now a Nazi symbol regardless of it’s many uses throughout history.
The Guy Fawkes mask is now also the face of Anonymous. And donning the mask can mean solidarity towards Anonymous just as much as it ever meant towards either V or Guy Fawkes.