"Issa and other members of Congress have voiced concerns that the leaked versions of TPP suggest that the United States is promoting Internet policies that Congress specifically rejected in January 2012, when the House killed the Stop Online Piracy Act... Joseph Stiglitz – an economist at Columbia and a contributor to these pages – provided a particularly illuminating list of policies that he argues negotiators should explicitly reject, including: mandates for the extensions of patent terms; mandates for the granting of patents on surgical procedures; monopolies of 12 years on test data for biologic damages; increased damages for infringement of patents and copyrights; the requirement of life plus 70 years of copyright protection; and mandates for excessive enforcement measures for digital information and other restrictions on the dissemination of knowledge. The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a leading nonprofit advocate of open access on the Internet, argues that under a cloak of secrecy, the TPP, “raises significant concerns about citizens’ freedom of expression, due process, innovation, the future of the Internet’s global infrastructure, and the right of sovereign nations to develop policies and laws that best meet their domestic priorities. In sum, the TPP puts at risk some of the most fundamental rights that enable access to knowledge for the world’s citizens. The US Trade Rep is pursuing a TPP agreement that will require signatory countries to adopt heightened copyright protection that advances the agenda of the U.S. entertainment and pharmaceutical industries agendas, but omits the flexibilities and exceptions that protect Internet users and technology innovators.”
Showing posts with label secret negotiations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label secret negotiations. Show all posts
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Free Trade Disagreement; New York Times, 2/4/14
Thomas B. Edsall, New York Times; Free Trade Disagreement:
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Acta didn't stand a chance in the age of the social internet; Guardian, 7/5/12
Charles Arthur, Guardian; Acta didn't stand a chance in the age of the social internet:
"The dismissal of Acta, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, by the European parliament has left the treaty's opponents delighted, and its supporters – who principally work in the industries that rely on copyright and trademarks, whether virtual or physical, for their living – downhearted.
Acta's creators had the poor luck – or lack of foresight – to create their baby in what feels like the Jurassic age of the social internet. They also made the bad decision to negotiate it in secret – the sort of thing that drives conspiracy theorists wild, but which is also sure to get anyone's antennae a bit twitchy. After all, if an agreement is for everyone's good, then why do its terms have to be kept secret?"
"The dismissal of Acta, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, by the European parliament has left the treaty's opponents delighted, and its supporters – who principally work in the industries that rely on copyright and trademarks, whether virtual or physical, for their living – downhearted.
Acta's creators had the poor luck – or lack of foresight – to create their baby in what feels like the Jurassic age of the social internet. They also made the bad decision to negotiate it in secret – the sort of thing that drives conspiracy theorists wild, but which is also sure to get anyone's antennae a bit twitchy. After all, if an agreement is for everyone's good, then why do its terms have to be kept secret?"
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
EDUCAUSE Live! [June 14, 2010 1 PM EDT, FREE REGISTRATION AT WEBSITE] Checkpointing the ACTA Debate: Where Are We, and Where Do We Go From Here?
EDUCAUSE Live! [June 14, 2010 1 PM EDT, FREE REGISTRATION AT WEBSITE], Checkpointing the ACTA Debate: Where Are We, and Where Do We Go From Here?:
Michael Petricone
Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, Consumer Electronics Association
Jonathan Band
Counsel, Library Copyright Alliance
"Summary
ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, has been under negotiation since 2007 by representatives from the United States and several dozen other countries. Although nominally limited to counterfeiting, reports have suggested a much larger scope, with rumors hinting at border searches for infringing content on iPods, mandatory three-strikes policies for ISPs, and criminal penalties for Internet "piracy," all under the umbrella of an international policy regime. Public analysis and comment on ACTA have been constrained by the secrecy of the negotiations: Through most of the process, discussions have taken place in private.
An official draft of the agreement was revealed in October 2009, but distribution was limited to a handful of selected individuals and only under seal of nondisclosure. As of April, 2010, we have the first public version of the document and, according to ACTA proponents, the concerns are considered overblown and unfounded. ACTA leaves U. S. copyright law unchanged, they say, retaining fair use and other consumer protections, while providing a powerful tool to fight the high-stakes international organized crime that's deriving huge profits by misappropriating intellectual property. Others remain unconvinced. In this session we'll review the history, current status, and next steps for ACTA and examine the conflicting claims."
http://net.educause.edu/content.asp?SECTION_ID=521&bhcp=1
Michael Petricone
Senior Vice President for Government Affairs, Consumer Electronics Association
Jonathan Band
Counsel, Library Copyright Alliance
"Summary
ACTA, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, has been under negotiation since 2007 by representatives from the United States and several dozen other countries. Although nominally limited to counterfeiting, reports have suggested a much larger scope, with rumors hinting at border searches for infringing content on iPods, mandatory three-strikes policies for ISPs, and criminal penalties for Internet "piracy," all under the umbrella of an international policy regime. Public analysis and comment on ACTA have been constrained by the secrecy of the negotiations: Through most of the process, discussions have taken place in private.
An official draft of the agreement was revealed in October 2009, but distribution was limited to a handful of selected individuals and only under seal of nondisclosure. As of April, 2010, we have the first public version of the document and, according to ACTA proponents, the concerns are considered overblown and unfounded. ACTA leaves U. S. copyright law unchanged, they say, retaining fair use and other consumer protections, while providing a powerful tool to fight the high-stakes international organized crime that's deriving huge profits by misappropriating intellectual property. Others remain unconvinced. In this session we'll review the history, current status, and next steps for ACTA and examine the conflicting claims."
http://net.educause.edu/content.asp?SECTION_ID=521&bhcp=1
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
What is Acta and what should I know about it?; Guardian, 11/11/09
Bobbie Johnson, Guardian; What is Acta and what should I know about it?:
""Unlike other high-powered government meetings – which are often accompanied by protests and brouhaha – Acta, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, has been progressing for two years without much fanfare.
Supporters say the treaty will help create a broad consensus on how to deal with counterfeit goods: the kind of legislation usually aimed at criminals who mass-manufacture and sell pirate DVDs, or flood the market with dangerous fake products such as batteries and electrical equipment. In truth, the treaty also contains suggestions for the control of internet content that some believe could radically alter the nature of copyright law worldwide.
According to information that leaked from a secret meeting in South Korea last week, officials are proposing new ways to deal with intellectual property infringement online, including a global three-strikes law that could effectively override any British laws, regardless of whether or not the controversial Mandelson plan goes through parliament...
On top of all this, say campaigners, Acta is being thrashed out in total secrecy – leaving everyone guessing at what laws might be on the way. Professor Michael Geist, a prominent legal expert at the University of Ottowa, says this cloak-and-dagger approach is part of a wider set of problems with the treaty.
"A copyright agreement is being treated akin to nuclear secrets, with virtually no transparency but for a few leaks that have emerged," he told CBC. "As a policy-making matter, it's enormously problematic – but then the provisions associated with the treaty are even more problematic."...
The US government appears to be pushing for three strikes – despite the fact that it has been categorically rejected by the European parliament," said Gwen Hinze of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, adding that the leaks "confirmed everything that we feared"."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/nov/11/acta-trade-agreement
""Unlike other high-powered government meetings – which are often accompanied by protests and brouhaha – Acta, the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, has been progressing for two years without much fanfare.
Supporters say the treaty will help create a broad consensus on how to deal with counterfeit goods: the kind of legislation usually aimed at criminals who mass-manufacture and sell pirate DVDs, or flood the market with dangerous fake products such as batteries and electrical equipment. In truth, the treaty also contains suggestions for the control of internet content that some believe could radically alter the nature of copyright law worldwide.
According to information that leaked from a secret meeting in South Korea last week, officials are proposing new ways to deal with intellectual property infringement online, including a global three-strikes law that could effectively override any British laws, regardless of whether or not the controversial Mandelson plan goes through parliament...
On top of all this, say campaigners, Acta is being thrashed out in total secrecy – leaving everyone guessing at what laws might be on the way. Professor Michael Geist, a prominent legal expert at the University of Ottowa, says this cloak-and-dagger approach is part of a wider set of problems with the treaty.
"A copyright agreement is being treated akin to nuclear secrets, with virtually no transparency but for a few leaks that have emerged," he told CBC. "As a policy-making matter, it's enormously problematic – but then the provisions associated with the treaty are even more problematic."...
The US government appears to be pushing for three strikes – despite the fact that it has been categorically rejected by the European parliament," said Gwen Hinze of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, adding that the leaks "confirmed everything that we feared"."
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/nov/11/acta-trade-agreement
Monday, November 9, 2009
Fears copyright trade agreement could criminalise the internet; Sydney Morning Herald, 11/10/09
Ari Sharp, Sydney Morning Herald; Fears copyright trade agreement could criminalise the internet:
"INTERNET companies warn that a secretive trade agreement being negotiated could lead to new criminal charges as part of a global effort to protect copyright and thwart piracy.
Australia is among more than a dozen countries that for more than two years have been formulating the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which seeks to put pressure on internet service providers to take greater responsibility for cracking down on copyright breaches.
There has been little information about the progress of negotiations - a sixth round concluded last week in South Korea - prompting speculation there would be sweeping changes introduced to protect copyright holders by imposing penalties on users and internet service providers...
While Australia already has some of the strongest copyright protection laws in the world, the Internet Industry Association's chief executive, Peter Coroneos, said he had concerns over the potential consequences.
''There are many internet users that might be in a very grey area in terms of their own behaviour for want of alternatives they would prefer to have,'' he said, referring in particular to people illegally downloading music and movies...
The next round of negotiations will be in Mexico in January."
http://www.smh.com.au/national/fears-copyright-trade-agreement-could-criminalise-the-internet-20091109-i5gk.html
"INTERNET companies warn that a secretive trade agreement being negotiated could lead to new criminal charges as part of a global effort to protect copyright and thwart piracy.
Australia is among more than a dozen countries that for more than two years have been formulating the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), which seeks to put pressure on internet service providers to take greater responsibility for cracking down on copyright breaches.
There has been little information about the progress of negotiations - a sixth round concluded last week in South Korea - prompting speculation there would be sweeping changes introduced to protect copyright holders by imposing penalties on users and internet service providers...
While Australia already has some of the strongest copyright protection laws in the world, the Internet Industry Association's chief executive, Peter Coroneos, said he had concerns over the potential consequences.
''There are many internet users that might be in a very grey area in terms of their own behaviour for want of alternatives they would prefer to have,'' he said, referring in particular to people illegally downloading music and movies...
The next round of negotiations will be in Mexico in January."
http://www.smh.com.au/national/fears-copyright-trade-agreement-could-criminalise-the-internet-20091109-i5gk.html
Friday, May 22, 2009
Share a File, Lose Your Laptop?; PC World, 5/14/09
Bill Snyder via PC World; Share a File, Lose Your Laptop?:
"Called the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), the new plan would see the United States, Canada, members of the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, and Switzerland form an international coalition against copyright infringement. What's making groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation especially nervous is the veil of secrecy around the negotiations. In fact, it took some well-placed leaks and a Freedom of Information Act request to find out the most basic details of the plan."
http://www.pcworld.com/article/164889/share_a_file_lose_your_laptop.html
"Called the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), the new plan would see the United States, Canada, members of the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, and Switzerland form an international coalition against copyright infringement. What's making groups like the Electronic Frontier Foundation especially nervous is the veil of secrecy around the negotiations. In fact, it took some well-placed leaks and a Freedom of Information Act request to find out the most basic details of the plan."
http://www.pcworld.com/article/164889/share_a_file_lose_your_laptop.html
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Obama Administration Claims Copyright Treaty Involves State Secrets?!?, TechDirt, 3/13/09
Via TechDirt: Obama Administration Claims Copyright Treaty Involves State Secrets?!?:
"Plenty of folks are quite concerned about the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) negotiations are being negotiated in secret. This is a treaty that (from the documents that have leaked so far) is quite troubling. It likely will effectively require various countries, including the US, to update copyright laws in a draconian manner. Furthermore, the negotiators have met with entertainment industry representatives multiple times, and there are indications that those representatives have contributed language and ideas to the treaty. But, the public? The folks actually impacted by all of this? We've been kept in the dark, despite repeated requests for more information. So far, the response from the government had been "sorry, we always negotiate these things in secret, so we'll keep doing so...
Can the US Trade Representative please describe the damage to national security if the public gets to see what's being proposed that would require governments around the country to enact significantly more draconian intellectual property laws?"
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090313/1456154113.shtml
"Plenty of folks are quite concerned about the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) negotiations are being negotiated in secret. This is a treaty that (from the documents that have leaked so far) is quite troubling. It likely will effectively require various countries, including the US, to update copyright laws in a draconian manner. Furthermore, the negotiators have met with entertainment industry representatives multiple times, and there are indications that those representatives have contributed language and ideas to the treaty. But, the public? The folks actually impacted by all of this? We've been kept in the dark, despite repeated requests for more information. So far, the response from the government had been "sorry, we always negotiate these things in secret, so we'll keep doing so...
Can the US Trade Representative please describe the damage to national security if the public gets to see what's being proposed that would require governments around the country to enact significantly more draconian intellectual property laws?"
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20090313/1456154113.shtml
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