Wikimedia México contra ACTA/en

Wikimedia Mexico is opposed to the approval of ACTA in Mexico

Original in Spanish

On July 11, 2012, the Mexican government through its diplomatic representatives in Japan signed the "Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement" (known by its acronym in English, ACTA), and thus made one of the biggest mistakes against Internet freedom and the free culture that our country has ever seen.

Wikimedia México, as an organization representative of Wikimedia projects within Mexico, is worried by the signing of the agreement as it represents a potential limitation on freedom of the internet and a risk that the application of these legal provisions may harm the Wikimedia projects. In Mexico, where the internet is a vehicle for growth and innovation, as well as greater access to free knowledge, putting obstacles, in the name of the fight against piracy and illegal distribution of copyrighted content, may violate basic rights of those who depend on these same platforms, and creste problems for serious, constantly growing projects such as Wikipedia.

Wikimedia México is concerned specifically with the following issues:

• The philosophy of openness and cooperation is essential for the projects we represent in Mexico; projects which, although they have brought significant social progress, are still in their early stages and have not yet shown their full potential.
• We share the intention of the government of Mexico to comply with international standards for the effective protection of trademarks, inventions and creations of Mexicans - for which we offer legal alternatives based on the philosophy of Creative Commons - but it should adhere to the sociocultural context and competent voices arising therefrom. We also believe that the fight against illegal forms of distribution of copyrighted content should consider, in the specific case of Mexico, other more effective measures exceeding the scope of the Internet.
• We also find it disturbing that despite solid arguments and a consistent point of agreement expressed by the Senate, backed by a Plural Working Group including legislators, experts and citizens, the Federal Communications Commission and numerous views of the civil society, the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI) has decided to roll forward with the signing of the agreement without prior consultation with those previously involved.

We urge the Federal Government of Mexico to consider its position on ACTA and openly express our rejection of the agreement.

We invite to all the Wikipedians and members of the Wikimedia movement in Mexico, as well as all citizens, to demonstrate their disagreement with the measure through both the legislators corresponding to the area in ​​Mexico they live in and all communication channels.