Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement unlikely to become law, EU official says

BRUSSELS – An EU official says an international treaty that has been the subject of large protests by people fearing it would impinge on Internet freedom is unlikely to gain approval.

European Commission Vice President Neelie Kroes implied in a speech Friday that ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, probably will not be ratified by the European Union.

Speaking in Berlin, Kroes said: "We are now likely to be in a world without SOPA and without ACTA," according to a transcript provided by her spokesman.

SOPA is the proposed U.S. Stop Online Piracy Act.

The spokesman, Ryan Heath, said the European Commission has not changed its position and continues to work toward ultimate ratification of ACTA, but added that Kroes was "observing political reality."