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Euro Commissioner Neelie Kroes Speaks Against SOPA
European vice president Neelie Kroes says SOPA was “bad legislation”, while Euro MPs call US Congress to account.
European Commissioner for the Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes, has joined a rising European tide against US proposals to combat copyright.
Kroes tweeted her approval that the “tide is turning” over the controversial proposed Stop Online Privacy Act (SOPA), which now appears to have been beaten, although other legislation will replace it. Meanwhile, a group of European MPs has sent a formal letter of complaint to the US Congress.
(NRC Newspaper/Google translator) – Kroes’ anti-SOPA tweet was terse but unambiguous: “Glad tide is turning on #SOPA: don’t need bad legislation when should be safeguarding benefits of open net.”
Tacitly acknowleding the problem of piracy, but implying SOPA was disprorportionate, Kroes – who is also a vice-president of the European Union – followed with: “Speeding is illegal too: but you don’t put speed bumps on the motorway”.
Meanwhile, a group of European MPs, led by Dutch MEP Marietje Schaake have sent a letter to the US Congress, which complains that SOPA would have broken US promises to respect the open Internet.
“SOPA and PROTECT IP [or PIPA] will create tensions across the Atlantic in a time where we need to work more closely together.”
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."
