Hackers on Wednesday, February 8 shut down Poland's Culture Ministry website, in a protest against a controversial internet anti-piracy treaty that has already sparked nationwide protests.

The website was to publish documents dealing with the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) which Poland signed but has so far not ratified.

Last week, Prime Minister Donald Tusk postponed the treaty's ratification for at least a year, saying internet activists had been underrepresented at previous meetings on the agreement.

The treaty, which aims to protect intellectual property rights, has been signed by 31 countries so far, but also caused a backlash in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Critics say it will cause intrusive surveillance and censorship.

Hackers had previously attacked other Polish government websites, including that of parliament and the prime minister.