Greens promise stronger digital rights, opposition to ACTA

AD chairperson Michael Briguglio said a legal framework is necessary to safeguard digital rights and privacy for citizens, pledging a modernisation of copyright law without the restrictions of the ACTA legislation.

 "The internet is a technology which has limitless potential not only to unleash the forces of creativity but also has vast democratic potential in the creation of

an active global citizenship."

"For these reasons we believe that a legal framework is necessary to safeguard privacy and digital rights. This legal framework must be based on free access to the internet. We Greens are committed to a modernisation and reform of copyright law and to a fair balance between the interests of copyright owners and users; that is, for all internet participants.

"We want to strengthen the copyright owners and artists against the exploitation and marketing of their content, but also to provide adequate financial compensation for the free use of their copyrighted content on the Internet. At the same time we want to end the criminalization of non-commercial use of copyrighted works on the Internet and facilitate access to them."

AD was on the forefront against the ACTA legislation in 2012, Brigulgio said. "AD in parliament will ensure that digital rights of internet users are protected against such legislation in the future."