Over 100 register for PublicACTA

InternetNZ looks for strong statement of public support

InternetNZ says over 100 people have registered to attend the organisation's PublicACTA event in Wellington on Saturday, ahead of a further round of negotiations on the international treaty.

InternetNZ Policy Director Jordan Carter says the event will be a chance for people to have a say on the Anti Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).

International keynote speakers Michael Geist (Computerworld interview here), from Canada, and Kim Weatherall, from Australia, will analyse what is known about ACTA so far, Carter says, as well as "the things that need to change, and the good points that can be built on".

"Local panelists will expand on the issues covered by the keynote speakers, and then the rest of the day will focus on developing a public interest set of propositions for the New Zealand government negotiators to take into account during next week's talks," he says.

Carter says PublicACTA, unlike the negotiations, will be public. The proceedings will be webcast live.

"We are looking forward to a strong statement of the public interest backing up New Zealand's negotiators, on the issues covered by ACTA and on the need for transparency in its ongoing negotiation," says Carter.