EU ACTA Negotiator Removed From Negotiations [Updated]

from the what's-it-mean dept

Mon, Jul 19th 2010 4:05pm — Mike Masnick

Not much in the way of details, but a week after EU negotiators briefed the EU Parliament on ACTA, the head EU negotiator, Luc Devigne, is apparently out of that role. There's some speculation that perhaps (hopefully?) this means that the European Commission is finally losing its enthusiasm for ACTA, due to the growing opposition around the globe. Considering that the key debate points are between the US and the EU, it'll be interesting to see what this shakeup means for the next round of negotiations (to take place next month in DC). Update: Jamie Love is now clarifying his original report, saying he received a phone call saying that while Devigne has taken a new job, he'll continue negotiating ACTA for the time being.

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Filed Under: acta, eu, luc devigne

6 Comments

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Jeremy, 19 Jul 2010 @ 4:09pm

Is it possible he was the one to leak the ACTA agreement?
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Jay (profile), 19 Jul 2010 @ 4:43pm

I'm more suspecting Sweden's Pirate Party to have done so. That would make more sense than Luc. He may put on airs about US hypocrisy but isn't EU looking for more stringent rules than the US?

Which is really saying something when the US does look pretty heavy handed with the criminal intentions.
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2010 @ 5:44pm

title
So was he removed or did he withdraw himself from negotiations?
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Anonymous Coward, 19 Jul 2010 @ 6:31pm

More likely he was removed for refusing to play ball with the corporate interests.
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Shane Murray, 19 Jul 2010 @ 6:44pm

Hmm...
Not sure of Mr. Devigne's politics. Would be interesting to get some expert feedback on that issue.
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Hephaestus (profile), 20 Jul 2010 @ 8:14am

Wouldn't it be a kick in the pants if they appointed a pirate party member to do the ACTA negotiations.
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