The European Parliament has voted against signing up to the controversial Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA).

ACTA aimed to protect the intellectual property in both digital and physical goods. It was originally supported by the Polish government but Prime Minister Donald Tusk made a major U-turn after several demonstrations against the treaty were held in Poland, saying he had “made a mistake” and that he no longer supported the treaty's ratification.

Supporters of the treaty said ACTA was needed to standardize international laws that protect intellectual property rights while its opponents feared it would lead to censorship and a loss of privacy on the internet.

The EP's vote defeat means that, as far as the EU is concerned, the treaty is dead.