S&D thwart centre right's attack to internet freedom

European Socialists and Democrats today blocked a European Parliament vote scheduled for next Thursday on a centre-right proposal to treat copyright infringement for commercial purposes and teenagers' file-sharing with friends in the same way.

Bernhard Rapkay, S&D spokesperson on legal affairs, and Francoise Castex, S&D rapporteur on intellectual property, said:

"Today's decision clearly confirms that a majority of MEPs are not satisfied with this proposal on copyright (Gallo report) and believe that it needs to be changed.